Catherine Yassay-Nelson

Catherine "Cathy" Joanne Yassay-Nelson, died on June 19, 2013, age 58, at William Beaumont Hospital of cancer. She was a longtime resident of Royal Oak. Cathy was born on March 11, 1955 in Detroit. She was the second child of six children born to Emilie Leger Yassay. Cathy grew up in Garden City attending St. Raphael's Catholic School and Garden City West High School. She followed her passion of helping others through the Shapero School of Nursing graduating as a registered nurse and specializing in cardiac care. Survived by her husband, Mark Nelson; son, Enrique Nelson; daughter, Reyna Nelson; and brothers, Mark Cindy Yassay, David Elizabeth Yassay and Joseph Debbie Yassay. Her adventurous spirit will be missed by many loving nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her mother, Emilie Gabrielle Leger Yassay; and sisters, Cheryl Cuneo Yassay and Julie Edds Yassay. There will be a memorial visitation on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 from 3-9 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road 4 blocks E of Woodward, Royal Oak. The Memorial Mass with a reception immediately following will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of the Little Flower 12 Mile and Woodward, Royal Oak. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Gilda's House in Cathy's name. Our dearest Cathy, your friends and family will miss your smile, your laugh and your unconditional love and support, but will forever carry your love of adventure and spontaneous spirit in our hearts. We thank you for the joy you provided through your wit and laughter, the fun you taught us to have under any circumstance and the strength you demonstrated throughout your life. You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her or you can be full of the love she shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.