Catherine Waldo Steger

October 2, 1944 - January 25, 2016

Catherine Waldo Steger, 71, of Nashville, TN, passed away on January 25, 2016 in Maryville, TN. Cathy was born in San Bernardino, CA to Fordyce L. and Patricia Berrian Waldo on October 2, 1944. After her birth mother’s death, she was adopted by her mother Mary Gamble Waldo. She attended Friendsville School and graduated from Maryville High School in 1962. She went on to earn an AA degree from Warren Wilson College and a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from the University of Connecticut. She worked as a counselor for Services for the Blind and as the Deaf Blind Coordinator for the State of TN. She was tirelessly dedicated to the support of deaf-blind organizations including the Mockingbird Community Retirement Center and Tennessee Organization for the Deaf Blind. She enjoyed gardening, travel, and spending time with her grandchildren. Cathy is preceded in death by her father, Fordyce Waldo; her birth mother, Patricia Berrian Waldo; her mother, Mary Gamble Waldo; and her sister, Virginia Waldo McEwen. Cathy is survived by her former husband, Thomas Steger, Sr.; special friend, John Forbes; sister, Nancy Geer; children, Thomas Steger, Jr. (Jennifer) and Mary Steger (Steve Rich); Foster son Ormond Quashie, Jr. (Sara); grandchildren Samantha Steger, Hannah Steger, Bailey Steger, and Sarah Beth Steger; Foster grandchildren Brittany Monroe, Ormond Quashie III, and Ophelia Quashie; nephews, Dan Geer, Ryan Steger (Missy), and Mark Steger (Soma). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tennessee Organization for the Deaf Blind or Mockingbird Community Retirement Center (for the Deaf Blind or Hard of Hearing). Both can be mailed: c/o John Forbes, 314 Cool Springs Blvd., #107 Franklin, TN 37067