Catherine Louise MacGregor

Catherine Louise MacGregor, age 79, passed away peacefully in Baldwinsville, NY on February 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Cathy was born in White Plains, NY on January 12, 1946, to Dr. William and Jeanne (Luke) Parsons. Cathy was the oldest of three girls, remaining close to her sisters, Nancy Parsons Morgan and Carrie Parsons Stevens, throughout her life. She graduated from Strong Vincent High School (class of ’63) in Erie, PA. After high school she went on to attend Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, where she graduated with a degree in Biology and a Masters in Teaching. After college, she pursued her dream of becoming a school teacher.

It was in early high school, where she met the love of her life, Donald MacGregor. They dated throughout high school and college before getting married on July 11, 1970. Don and Cathy were a match made in heaven, loving, laughing, and supporting each other for over 54 years.

Cathy was an incredibly loving, patient and selfless person that enjoyed teaching children. She was also a naturally gifted and creative person. There was no more ideal career for her than teaching, and she found the perfect school in Luther Memorial Academy in Erie, PA. She taught middle school Science, Algebra, World Religions and was the Art teacher for grades K-8. She taught at LMA for over 40 years where she had a significant impact on hundreds of children’s lives and was an institution at the school.

In addition to her long and successful career, Cathy was involved in countless organizations and activities including a devout member of the Luther Memorial Church and a longtime member of it’s Choir, the Carrie T Watson Garden Club, and the Junior League of Erie. She also founded and directed Summer Art and Science camps for children in Fairview for over 30 years. Cathy loved being outdoors; one of her passions was “playing in her garden” where she transformed the backyard of her Fairview home into a serene garden that was selected to the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens in 2016. Cathy was an incredibly gifted person, who enjoyed many different arts and crafts spanning from painting to poetry and enjoyed teaching and sharing them with her many friends. She had endless energy and an infectious smile that lit up a room. Cathy touched many people. She found great joy through her relationships with her family and friends, especially from a group of dear lifelong friends lovingly known as The Herd.

Nothing gave Cathy greater joy than raising her three boys and welcoming their spouses into the family: Chris MacGregor and soon to be wife, Sharon Santos (Boston, MA), Dr. David and Misty MacGregor (Baldwinsville, NY) and Rob and Jen MacGregor (Charlotte, NC). Cathy also found incredible joy in her five beloved grandchildren: Brandon, Nate, Hailey, Jack and Luke who all loved their grandmother dearly.

Friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, West Ridge 3801 W. 26th Street, on Friday, February 21th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the funeral service at Luther Memorial Church, 225 West 10th St, Erie, Pa on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Private burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Cathy MacGregor's honor to the Luther Memorial Academy 220 W. 11th Street, Erie, PA 16501 or using the following Link.