Catherine “Cata” (Coons) McKinnon, 52, of Warwick, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 27, 2019 at the Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center of Rhode Island, Coventry, following a defiant battle with cancer.
Born in Cranston, she was the daughter of Dix S. and Lela (Bartlett) Coons. She spent her childhood summers traveling cross-country with her family. As a teen, she pursued a carefree and adventurous life and as a young adult, earned a degree in criminal justice at Rhode Island College. Cata loved spending time on the beach and watching the Boston Red Sox, and could throw one hell of a party. Whether it was a birthday, baby shower, graduation or wine tasting, if you could think it up, Cata could make it happen. She earned a reputation among friends as a wicked car snob, and collected a remarkable array of shoes. Cata was a Project Manager for Citizens Bank for many years. At work, her presence was considered larger than life. Cata touched the lives of nearly everyone she met during her time there, where she will be deeply missed. She was a Board Member of VOWS (Volunteers of Warwick Schools) and the Warwick Center for the Arts. She also taught kickboxing for many years.
Cata was the beloved mother of Christopher McKinnon of West Warwick. She was the sister of Sara Scott and her husband, Alan, of Medicine Bow, WY; Thaddeus Coons and his wife Lynn, of Warwick; Jared Coons and his wife, Lisa, of Coventry; and Nathan Coons of Warwick. Cata is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she doted on. They included David, Hannah and Andrew, children of Sara and Allen Scott; Lauren, Alexis and Camryn, children of Jared and Lisa Coons; Lilly, daughter of Thaddeus and Lynn Coons; and Evan and Elijah, sons of Nathan Coons. She is also survived by a great nephew, Brandon, son of Lauren Coons. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild, Van Angus McKinnon, expected in June. Cata frequently told her nieces and nephews, “I love my nephews to pieces,” and “I love my nieces to pieces,” to which they responded, “I love my auntie to pieces.”
Visitation will be Monday, June 3, 2019 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Iannotti Funeral Home, 415 Washington St. (Rte. 117), Coventry.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cata’s memory to “Dana Farber Cancer Institute” 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215.
