Obituary of Catherine T. Walker

STAMFORD, CONN Catherine Tresa Carty Walker, age 87 of Stamford, CT passed away peacefully at her home May 4, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born on June 23, 1933 in Manhattan, NY to Thomas Carty and Anna Flynn Carty, both Irish immigrants. She took great pride in her Irish heritage. The oldest of three children, she was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Manhattan. Cathy was devoted to her family, friends, and the arts. She and her husband Mort Walker (creator of Beetle Bailey) loved to dance and joke together. They had a large blended family and Cathy enjoyed hosting delightful celebrations with family and friends. Her passions included cooking, fashion, travel, and the art of cartooning. She served as the Executive Director of the Newspaper Features Council and worked tirelessly as cofounder with her late husband Mort Walker on the International Museum of Cartoon Art in Boca Raton, FL incorporating a collection of over 200,000 items and a "Hall of Fame" featuring the industry's founders and most celebrated artists. Cathy was preceded in death by her husband Mort Walker; her parents, Thomas and Anna Carty; two brothers, Tommy and John Carty; her daughter, Cathy Prentice-Deutsch; and her stepson Morgan Walker. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Ada Carty and Maureen Carty; son Whitney Prentice (Jan); daughter Priscilla Prentice Campbell (David); stepson from her marriage to her first husband, the late John Prentice (cartoonist of Rip Kirby), John Prentice (Lesley); stepchildren from her marriage to her second husband, the late Mort Walker, Greg Walker, Brian Walker (Abby), Polly Blackstock (Rich), Margie Walker Hauer, Neal Walker (Kristin), Roger Walker (Katie); Son-in-law Louis Deutsch (married to Cathy Jr.); She was “Nooni” to her grandchildren, Skyler and Griffin Campbell; Step grandchildren Brendan, Andrew (Mary Elizabeth), and Bonnie Walker (Lincoln Mersch), Sarah Pacifico (Dan), David Walker, Ryan Embree, Alex and Jamie Hauer, Charlotte and Isobel Walker, and Dylan, Charlie, and Kyle Walker. And three step great-grandchildren Lilly and Johnathan Walker, and Claire Pacifico. The family would like to thank the special caregivers who helped Cathy during her illness. In lieu of flowers, if you feel so inclined, the family has requested donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Arrangements are under the direction of the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home in Stamford, CT.