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Cathy Trent-Perdreau Cathy Trent-Perdreau Cathy Trent-Perdreau
In Memory of
Cathy C.
Trent-Perdreau
1937 -
2018

Obituary for Cathy C. Trent-Perdreau

Cathy C.  Trent-Perdreau
DR. CATHY C. TRENT-PERDREAU was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 24, 1937. She was the chosen child of loving parents, Harry and Thelma Washington. As a child, she learned to play the piano and violin and gained a keen interest in music. In her earlier years, Cathy worked as a law clerk, sang jazz in various venues, and started a career in modeling. She later moved to Columbus, Ohio to pursue family and school. Earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from The Ohio State University at age 30, she had a persistent drive to never quit. She then continued her pursuit in higher education earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration; minoring in Psychology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in General Special Education and Education Administration. Dr. Trent-Perdreau taught for the Columbus School for the Blind and Columbus City Schools; served as an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University. She also served as the Deputy Director of The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. She retired from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, where she served as Director of Special Education and Principal of Ohio Central School System. After retirement, she continued to serve as a consultant for Special Education and school administration providing ancillary services for children and young adults with special needs. Since the day each of us was born, you constantly showered us with your unconditional love. Through the knowledge in your seasoned mind, you were able to teach us life lessons that no one else could. Through you strong-willed spirit, you were always able to uplift us when we were down. Even though you spoiled us, you never spared the rod. WE PRAISE GOD for the years He give us with you. While we truly wish you were sill here, we understand that it is not about the quantity of time we spent together here on earth, but the quality of our time spent together that matters most. We love you so much and we know that you truly loved us! In 2002, she joined Gethsemane United Methodist Church and was known as “Dr. Cathy” by her church family. As a faithful member, two of her greatest passions were singing soprano in the praise choir and faithfully teaching Bible Study for over 10 years. She also served as Lay Member of Capital Area South Community Ministries of West Ohio United Methodist Church. She was married on July 12, 2003, to Michel S. Perdreau. Cathy loved to travel, and she and Michel would frequently travel to France (his home), Germany, and many other countries. After a two-year battle with cancer, the Lord called Cathy home on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Thelma Washington and her sister, Joan Riolo, who Cathy was blessed with the research of her husband, Michel, to find 12 years ago and the rest of her biological family. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother (affectionately known as Mishemom), she leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Michel; daughters, Tory C. Connolly of Brooklyn, New York, Shelli E. (Joseph) Branch of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; step-son, Maurice Perdreau of New York; three grandchildren, Malcolm, Lia, and Asia; cherished new found biological nieces (special love for Bonnie Sliva, Joanne Winkler, and Mary Ann Vanover and nephews); treasured sister friends, Irma Lang, Betty Joy Roddy, and Patricia McDonald; a host of cousins and many others who, out of love for her, referred to her as “Aunt Cathy.”

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Affiliations


United Methodist Church
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