Catherine Joyce DeClaire (née Haun), known to friends and family as Cathy, entered into eternal peace at the age of 40 on March 13, 2026. She was born on January 23, 1986, and spent most of her life in the Tampa Bay area, with a meaningful chapter in Huntington, West Virginia, where she attended Marshall University.

Cathy later returned to Florida and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida in 2010. An exceptional student who graduated high school early, she approached life with intelligence, determination, and a thoughtful, resilient spirit.

She was a certified EMT and someone who met life with both capability and curiosity. Cathy had a natural talent for solving problems and working with her hands, including home and auto repair, skills that reflected her independence and resourcefulness. She also had a strong understanding of technology and a natural ability to learn and adapt.

Cathy embraced life fully and sought to make the most of each moment. She found joy in both creative pursuits and everyday experiences, with a love for traveling, baking, reading, sewing, crochet, gardening, and finding hidden treasures while bargain hunting. She had an artistic spirit, a playful sense of humor, and a gift for bringing laughter to others. Music was also an important part of her life, and she played both the violin and French horn while appreciating a wide range of musical styles.

She was known for her natural beauty and her focus on health and wellness, living intentionally and with care. She loved animals deeply and had a whimsical, imaginative side, giving her cats wonderfully unique names and cherishing her beloved “imaginary cat,” Bob, a companion that became a lasting and meaningful part of family stories.

To those closest to her, Cathy was also a quiet teacher, someone who inspired others to grow, to stay curious, and to approach life as a learner.

Above all, Cathy was a devoted mother. She is survived by her children, Robert, Emma, and Sophia; her loving partner, Alton; her siblings, Karen, Joseph, and Michelle; and her loving parents, Christopher and Penny Haun.

Catherine will be remembered for her intelligence, creativity, humor, resilience, and the deep love she carried for her family. Her memory will live on in the lives she touched and in the stories shared by those who loved her.