Cathryn Joan Marshall (Branch), 73, of Richland, MI passed away on June 16, 2025 with her Family close by.
She was born on November 25, 1951. The youngest of five children to Frank and Joan Branch of Richland, MI
Cathy is survived and missed by her loving Husband, Richard ‘Dick’ Marshall of 50 years. Their children, Kurtis Swinehart (Wendy) of Kalamazoo, Sally Bruns (Swinehart) of Kalamazoo, and Nicholas Marshall (Lindsay) of Gobles. Nine grandchildren, Emalee Bruns, Mackenzie Swinehart, Jordyn Walter (Jason), Alexis Weaver (Joseph), Joshua Swinehart (Maddie), Sara Bruns, Madyson Marshall, Dayle Kasey Bruns, and Brody Marshall. Two Great-Grandkids, Ryan and Axel Hirsch.
Being the youngest of five children and growing up on a 40 acre farm, she loved being around all of the animals. Especially the chickens. We loved hearing her tell the stories of growing up on the farm in Richland.
She graduated from Gull Lake High School class of 1969 where she was a cheerleader and played in a local band, Cathy and the Unknowns. She also played the flute at GL.
After high school she had two of her children, Kurt and Sally, when she met her future husband Dick. They were married on October 25, 1974 at Dicks family home on Gull Lake. A few years later they welcomed Nick to complete their Family.
Along with marriage, motherhood, and always working somewhere, Cathy enjoyed extra curricular activities, like being on the same soccer team as her Sister, Marilyn and sister in law Jean. Throughout those years, Cathy was a part of co-ed softball, bowling, tennis, and golf. She enjoyed roller skating, roller blading, and going on bike rides. She also taught aerobics at the local community center. She liked going for daily walks after dinner and if you knew Cathy, you knew that she was probably secretly searching for morel mushrooms. She had some great stories about mushroom hunting. Cathy also had a green thumb and had beautiful flower gardens. Stopping by their house on a summer evening, she would gladly give you a tour. And beautiful it was.
From the time when she was a teenager, her family had property along the Muskegon River. So of course she and Dick continued with that tradition and had various places along the Muskegon throughout their time together. When they weren’t ‘relaxing’ , they camped. Cathy loved camping. They found a spot in Georgia that they absolutely loved, that place is Jekyll Island. Whenever driving to Florida, Jekyll was a must stop for a visit.
Cathy worked at many different jobs. She just liked to always try something different. Trying different things always seemed to be happening in the kitchen as well. She loved trying new recipes, always making something she found in the many cookbooks and magazines she had.
When the Grandkids started coming, she would often have her calendar full with who she was going to go watch play or perform. All the while doing her final job as office manager for their
business, The Richland Home Center. Where Cathy and Dick finally decided to retire and sell after 45 years in 2017.
If you ever sat and talked with her, she loved to tell a particular story if the opportunity presented itself. Cathy was born on the same month and day as her sister Marilyn and brother Bill. Yes, three of the five Branch children were born on November 25, all in different years. Cathy did not ever forget to call her brother Bob and eldest brother Dave on their Birthdays though. She disliked them being left out of the coolest thing.
Cathy is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Joan Branch, brothers David and Bill Branch, and Grandson in Law Joseph Hirsch.