Catherine Herpfer of Vero Beach, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 15, 2017. Only a resident of Vero for 4 years, Catherine was born and raised on Long Island, New York. Catherine was born on April 22, 1959 in Ronkonkoma, New York to Igor and Adele Bartel (Godoy). In her youth she enjoyed writing poetry and stories, riding horses, and spending time with friends and siblings. She graduated from Sachem High School in 1977 and met her husband of 36 years, John, when she was only 19 years old. John maintains that Catherine said she was 20 but either way, he was confident that he had finally met his match and the two spent the next 40 years raising their children Melissa and Nicholas together.

During her career as a substance abuse counselor Catherine saw the potential in every client and refused to allow stigma and hardship to determine anyone's worth. She fought equally for every person she encountered to have the best life possible, often taking on cases outside of work for family and friends. A strong advocate for those in need, she devoted much of her life to making other's lives better.

A devoted wife, and an extraordinary mother, Catherine felt best at the beach with her family, enjoying the sun and the ocean. She also enjoyed drumming, spending time with friends, good coffee, good shoes, and keeping in touch with family and friends. Catherine's strong yoga practice was essential in her sustaining her good health for many years. Being a grandmother was a special part of Catherine's life in which she excelled; spending time with her grandchildren, Briar and Ryder, was an exceptional source of joy for her.

Predeceased by her father, Igor, and brother, Christopher; she is survived by her mother, Adele; husband, John; son, Nicholas; daughter, Melissa, and son-in-law Josh; grandchildren, Briar and Ryder; and siblings, William, John and Roseanne, Irene, Maria, Paul; and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

While Catherine's passing was sudden she would not have wanted those she loved to mourn her passing with sadness and fear but with a spirit of celebration for having lived such a meaningful, passionate life with intention and a servant's heart.

"Life is eternal, and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing, save the limit of our sight"