Cathy Wilkinson, of Panama City Beach, Florida, passed away on June 29, 2022. She graced this world by entering it on April 28, 1950, in Newnan, Georgia, to Doris and Harold Wilkinson.
Currently, she’s now reunited with her husband, Bill Chandronnet, and their beloved dog, Buddy, as well as her brother, Hal, and great friends Kathie Grow and Jack Poitinger. Mourning her loss is her sister, Helen Zaniewski, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, stepchildren, and step-grandchildren.
She is thankful for her best friends Jennifer (steadfast) and David, and her dear friends Laura, Beth, and Mindy. Many thanks to hospice and her caregivers.
Cathy was fortunate enough to have a teacher, Ms. Seigler, in high school who told her she would be a success in whatever she did. Cathy took that to heart. She was runner up for fastest typist in the state of Georgia when she was a senior in high school, which made her a whiz at typing up transcripts when she was employed by a court reporter in the Newnan area, who became her mentor. After graduating from West Georgia College with a degree in business, he advised her to head to Atlanta. While working at a law firm there, her mentor then inspired her to attend court reporting school.
She chose one in Jacksonville because it was supposed to be the best. School was challenging, but she graduated in two years and said that it was one of the proudest moments of her life. Her nimble fingers created many a transcript in Jacksonville, but a friend asked her if she wanted to move to Tallahassee, that it was easier to get around and the people were nice. So she did.
Cathy found her home in Tallahassee, eventually forming her own business, Wilkinson and Associates. She mentored many. Her kind, generous, and easy-going manner made her a freelancer’s dream, and her prowess on her steno machine was known far and wide.
Cathy was so affable. And she was a master at problem-solving, especially for her friends. She was a voracious reader, especially of murder mysteries. And she was a fan of Country and Western music.
Cathy loved her condominium on Panama City Beach because she could see and hear the water. When asked why she liked the water so much, she responded, “I think because I was never near it when I was a child until I was about 10 or 11.” She said being near the water made her feel peaceful.
Cathy sometimes bestowed the title “Good Egg” to those she deemed worthy. When asked what would be the main thing she’d like people to remember about her, she responded, “That I’ve always tried my best.” Cathy, you were the best egg of all.
