In Memoriam

Cathi Akin (Awalt)

Student Council, National Honor Society, Span. H.S., R.H.G.C., Junior Usher, Eaglette, Cheerleader, died March 8, 2007.

CATHERINE ANITA AKIN AWALT Advocate for Collin County kids : Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Dallas Morning News, The (TX) - Monday, March 12, 2007

Deceased Name: CATHERINE ANITA AKIN AWALT Advocate for Collin County kids

Catherine Anita Akin "Cathi" Awalt was a fourth-generation attorney who devoted much of her adult life to children, working in the courts, raising her family and helping neglected Collin County young people.

She became a grant writer for the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center shortly after receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2002. Ms. Awalt brought in $300,000 to $400,000 a year, up to 20 percent of the organization's annual budget, through her grant writing.

Ms. Awalt had battled a succession of cancers that began with ovarian cancer. She died Thursday at Medical Center of Plano at age 55.

Ms. Awalt graciously battled the cancer while supporting the Children's Advocacy Center, said her brother Matt Akin of Plano.

"She was pretty much on chemo for the entire time and with an attitude like nobody you've never seen or heard about," Mr. Akin said. "One day in the hospital she looked at me and said, 'I'm grumpy' - and that's the only way you could tell. ... That's as bad as it ever got."

Dynamic and effervescent, Ms. Awalt enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, baseball and the State Fair of Texas.

Born in Dallas, she was the granddaughter of Henry D. Akin, a partner in the law firm Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP. Her father was Henry Akin Jr. Both men died in 2000.

Ms. Awalt was a graduate of Richardson High School and received her undergraduate and law degrees from Southern Methodist University, her brother said.

She practiced law with her father and became known statewide for her knowledge of public education law, Mr. Akin said. The father-daughter team represented the Richardson and Plano school districts on desegregation issues, he said.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Dallas.

In addition to her brother, Ms. Awalt is survived by her husband, Charles Awalt of Plano; a daughter, Sarah Awalt of Plano; two sons, Travis Awalt of Plano and Stewart Awalt of Dallas; her mother, Mary Ella Akin of Dallas; two other brothers, David Akin of Dallas and John Akin of Fredericksburg, Texas; a sister, Mary Akin of Hollywood, Fla.; and two grandchildren.

Monetary or volunteer hour memorials may be made to the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center.

PHOTO(S): (FILE 2006/Staff photo) Cathi Awalt raised $300,000 to $400,000 a year for the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center through her grant writing. She had battled cancer since 2002, always with a positive attitude, her brother said.Author: JOE SIMNACHER
Edition: FIRST
Page: 4B
(c) Copyright, 2007, The Dallas Morning News



 
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07/29/14 02:36 PM #1    

Jerry May

I did not know Cathi at RHS. (would like to have known her...so pretty!) I met Cathi when our sons were little and going to the same school...and lived a couple of blocks behind us in Plano.

But she and my ex-wife were actually better friends.

When I actually got to know her was at the Oncology center we both went to in 2006. I remember "running into" to her and her saying, "Jerry?"....and me saying "Cathi?" We both sat and talked a couple of times when her treatment times lined up with mine....although she went to a different physician. I remember telling her how pretty she always....and still was at that time. She was very grateful...and was not the type to complain.

Little did I know she would be gone 2 or 3 mo later. So sad...because she was such a beautiful person too.

 


07/29/14 03:00 PM #2    

Janet Veerman (Harvey)

Cathi Akin Awalt was one of the most amazing people I have ever known!

i first met Cathi at Terrace Elementary when we were in the 2nd grade. On occasion I would ride the bus home with her to Northwood Hills. That was so exciting for me since I walked to school. At RJHS we were cheerleaders together along with our friend Nanci Willen. Nanci's family moved to Barrington, Illinois so Cathi and I rode the train to Chicago to see her...oh the memories. Then there was high school. What great times we had...especially along with Linda, Brenda, Melinda, Roxanne, and Cindy. 

Cathi went to SMU and I went to TCU. Then Cathi graduated law school as a single mom with a 2 year old daughter Sarah. I've always said Cathi was my smartest friend ever,

Then on July 26, 1983 Cathi and I both had our 3rd babies. She had Stewert and I had Adam...born on the same day, same doctor, same hospital. Then Cathi moved to Plano and our kids went to the same school. Stewert and Adam loved to show everyone the picture of them in the hospital the day they were born and "their moms have been friends since 2nd grade".  Cath and I were on PTA boards together and had the same circle of friends. Cathi amazed everyone with her beauty, intelligence and quick wit. I miss her so much. I find myself trying to remember things from the past and say to myself 'Cathi would know'. One thing I know...I will always remember Cathi. 


11/28/14 10:35 AM #3    

Ron Knight

Cathi was always an absolute sweetheart to me. I know that was just not her feeling towards me, but her kindness toward mankind. I never found her once in a bad mood, but instead just always on the upside of life.

God rest your soul, Cathi. And all my love to you and all that were graced by your being!!

Ron Knight


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