Holloway Funeral Home
Early on the morning of July 9, 2023, a beautiful and loving lady took her last breath.
Cathleen (Cathy) was born at Walter Reed Hospital on August 30, 1946, to George Francis Henigan, Jr. and Palma Lucente Henigan. Cathy grew up in Northern Virginia, attending Lee High School in Springfield, VA. After graduation from the Washington School for Secretaries, Cathy held successive positions with Atlantic Research Corporation and Civil Service jobs with the U. S. Navy.
While working at Atlantic Research, Cathy met the love of her life, Steve Habeger. Following Steve's Virginia Tech graduation, they were married on June 21, 1969, at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA. They settled in King George, VA where both were employed by the Navy at the Dahlgren (then) Naval Weapons Laboratory. Steve and Cathy then expanded their family with Scott Steven, adopted from Seoul, South Korea. Cathy enjoyed being a mother and creating a warm and loving environment for her family.
Upon the time of Steve's appointment as Director of the Dahlgren Detachment at Wallops Island, Virginia in 1980, the family relocated to Pocomoke City, Maryland. Cathy quickly embraced her new community through lasting friendships, and in 1983, they completed their family when their daughter Kelly Cathleen joined them from Daegu, South Korea.
In the small southern Delmarva community where the family resided for twenty-four years, Cathy was able to cultivate her love of the visual and performing arts. She exposed countless young minds to the world of art through her volunteer work at Pocomoke Elementary School as "the picture lady" in the early 1980s. Her artistic and decorative gifts were showcased in both her civic and faith-based organizational involvement. She shared her love of the performing arts with her daughter through their joint love of dance during Kelly's formative years. As Cathy's children grew older, she began to work in floristry and honed her trade of decorative painting. Soon, it was clear she had found her niche. Her passion for creating beautiful works led her to become a Certified One Stroke instructor and her media choices expanded. To her, any surface could serve as a canvas. Cathy had a true gift for vibrant and lively color schemes as well as amazing palettes and a definitive style.
In 2005, following Steve's retirement, he and Cathy moved to The Parke at Ocean Pines. She continued her love of community support through her role as co-chair of the Social Committee at The Parke and her work at the Atlantic General Hospital Thrift Store. She also resumed her painting classes with local friends and students who loved her creativity and talent.
Cathy was, first and foremost, a devoted wife and mother, taking her greatest pleasures from her family. Cathy is survived by her beloved husband, Steven Richard Habeger, and her two children Scott Habeger (Amy) and Kelly Habeger Bald (Sheryl). She is also survived by her brother Dennis Henigan (Tara), nephew Matthew, and niece Kylie. She is also survived by three grandsons, Jacob Scott Habeger (24), Noah Richard Habeger (21), and Spencer Steven Bald (10).
Arrangements: A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Cathy's life and legacy on Wednesday, July 19 on the Upper floor of the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. The Yacht Club is located at 1 Mumford Rd, Ocean Pines, MD 21811. Doors will open at 1 pm and a program will begin at 2 pm. As she lived with style and verve, we will remember her at this event by wearing bright and colorful country club attire with pizzazz. She would not wish for this to be a sad event.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to either Coastal Hospice or Atlantic General Hospital.
Donations to Coastal Hospice can be addressed to them at P. O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802
Donations for Atlantic General Hospital and Health System can be made online at www.agh.care/give by choosing "other" in the My gift is in support of box, typing Cathleen Habeger in the comment box, and selecting In memory of in the My gift is a tribute box or donations by mail can be addressed to Atlantic General Hospital Foundation, 10320 Old Ocean City Boulevard, Berlin, MD 21811 with In Memory of Cathleen Habeger in the comments section.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804. Please share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.HollowayFH.com.
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