The Alabama Arrow
2
A
labama Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi has been
the home of countless exceptional women.
One such woman was Cathy Inge Fierro '82. She
was a talented musician and writer, loving mother,
kind friend and steadfast sister. After a long fight
against cancer, Cathy passed away on June 27, 2016,
but the impact she made on her friends, family and
Pi Beta Phi sisters lives on.
Born and raised in New York, Tuscaloosa quickly
became her home away from home in her
undergraduate years. "Cathy was my freshman
roommate and friend for life," Michelle Council
'82 said. "She was a fun person, got along with
everyone and was a person you wanted to be
around."
Cathy's membership in Alabama Beta was an
essential part of her life since joining in 1981.
"My cousin was five years younger than me so
we were not Pi Phis together, but she was a little
sister to me. In February of 1982, I was honored
to be able to surprise her and pin her at Initiation,"
Molly Crown Nordmann '77 shared. "No matter
how long she lived with a sister, Cathy touched
each of their lives. "We only had one year together
in college through Pi Phi, but she left a lasting
impression upon me," Nancy Gafford '81 said.
As an alumna, Cathy kept involved with her
beloved chapter in various ways. "She stayed
involved in Pi Phi by working on this newsletter,
serving as a member of the Chapter House
Corporation and being active in her alumnae club
in New York," Molly said.
Beyond her dedication to preserving Alabama
Beta, it is the moments she shared with fellow
alumnae they remember most. "As grown women
with life experiences under our belt, we connected
in a way I never thought was possible," Nancy
shared. "No topic was too petty, too serious or too
taboo." Ellen Cochrane-Veum '81 recalled one
of her fondest memories of Cathy from a trip to
New Orleans for the inaugural year of the college
playoffs. "Cathy and I happened upon Eddie
George in a hotel lobby in the French Quarter,"
she said. "I talked her into ambushing Eddie in the
lobby with our cell phone cameras."
For the amazing and caring woman she was,
several alumnae have chosen to dedicate a room in
the new chapter house in Cathy's honor. "Several
of us decided that we would like to honor her
memory and thought that since we are building
a new house — a house that she was so eager to
see — perhaps a room could be dedicated in her
name," Molly said. "Dedicating a room in Cathy's
memory means she'll always be remembered by
those who loved her and shows appreciation for
the time and talent she gave to the chapter as an
alumna," Ellen said. To her close friends and
Pi Phi sisters, there is no one more deserving.
They hope more Pi Phi sisters will join their
initiative to raise enough money and make this
naming opportunity a reality. If you are interested
in helping donate toward naming a room after
Cathy, please contact Mary Herndon Nordmann
'08 at mhnordmann@gmail.com.
RemembeRing an angel
Sisters Share Memories of Dedicated
Alumna Cathy inge Fierro '82
Cathy Inge Fierro '82 and Nancy Gafford '81.
Ellen Cochrane-Veum '81 and Cathy Inge Fierro
'82 celebrate the inaugural year of the college
playoffs in New Orleans' French Quarter.
Molly Crown Nordmann '77 and
Cathy Inge Fierro '82.
Cathy Inge Fierro '82,
Ellen Cochrane-Veum '81 and
Michelle Council '82 during
formal recruitment in 1983.
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