Catherine Anne Collins Bona, age 52, died peacefully in Tampa, FL on July 19th surrounded by her loving husband, son, mother, five siblings, and their spouses following a year long battle with cancer. Cathy was born in Baltimore, MD on January 11, 1964 to parents James and Mary Lynn Collins. She grew up in Syracuse, NY graduating from Bishop Grimes High School and Le Moyne College. She continued her studies at St. John’s University where she received her Doctor of Law (J.D.).
Cathy was Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Walter Energy Corporation of Tampa. FL. She previously had served as the Senior Litigation Counsel For Jim Walter Homes.
She was a law clerk for New York City Law Department, Corporation Counsel, Family Court Division. Cathy was a member of the Florida and New York Bar Associations and the Association of Corporate Counsel. She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, FL.
Cathy was predeceased by her grandparents William and Catherine Lynn of Syracuse; Daniel and Katherine Collins of Potsdam and her father Dr. James F. Collins.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 10 years Marco Bona; beloved son, Billy McGurk both of Tampa, FL; stepson, Dominic Bona; step daughter, Chelsea Bona both of Brisbane, Australia; mother, Mary Lynn Collins of Fayetteville, NY; mother-in-law, Joy Bona of Brisbane, Australia; brothers Daniel (Margaret) of Tarrytown, NY, James (Melissa) of Syracuse, NY and Robert (Susan) Collins of Washington, DC; sisters, Mary Lynn (John) Callanan of Tarrytown, NY and Maureen (Jonathan) Novaco of Gladstone, NJ; sister-in-law, Jan (Paul) Archer of Brisbane, Australia; nine nephews and three nieces. She is also survived by two uncles; two aunts; and many cousins.
Cathy was fond of traveling with her husband and son, and enjoyed gardening and remodeling homes. She also enjoyed giving good investment advice. She looked forward to the yearly family reunions in various states and she was a much beloved “Aunt Cathy” to all her nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Friday, July 22, 2016 from 4pm – 8pm at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street Fayetteville, NY. A Funeral Mass in celebration of Cathy’s life will be held at 11:30am Saturday, July 23rd at the Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, Dewitt, NY 13214. A burial service will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery 4100 E Genesee St. Dewitt, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, in memoriam of Catherine Bona, www.cholangiocarcinoma.org , 5526 West 13400 South #510 Salt Lake City, UT 84096, phone number (801) 999 - 0455