Honoring the Life of Cathleen Anne Phalen

Cathleen Anne Phalen, 65, passed away on Saturday, December 20th, 2025, in Elmira Heights NY. She was a woman of rare strength who lived by a simple, powerful code: do what is right, and never stop fighting for your beliefs.

Caring for others wasn't just a job for Cathy; it was her calling. She worked hard to earn her Associate Degree in Nursing and took immense pride in being an RN. She had a sharp mind and a deep respect for medicine. She was the person her family and friends turned to for advice, knowing she would always have the right answer and the steady hand they needed.

To her children, she was a protector. She possessed an unfaltering moral compass and a "never-back-down" attitude when it came to her family's well-being. She sacrificed so much of herself to ensure her children had what they needed during tough times, teaching them by example what it means to live with integrity and courage.

While she was a fighter for her loved ones, she also had a deeply peaceful soul. She was at her happiest when she was surrounded by the quiet of nature or the warmth of her kitchen. She was a gifted cook who took joy in feeding the people she cared about.

Music was a constant thread throughout her life—she loved listening to all styles and had a special gift for sitting down at the piano and playing along to the melodies she heard. Those moments of music and the peace she found outdoors were where her spirit truly soared.

Her legacy of strength and love lives on in those she held closest:

• Her daughter, Jessica Parsons.

• Her son, Jason Parsons.

• Her sister, Lauren Strait.

• Her granddaughter, Haley Cortland.

• Her grandson, Jaden Sherman.

• And her partner who supported and cared for her very deeply, Adam Burr

She was predeceased by:

• Her eldest son: Stephen Parsons, Jr.

• Her brother: Richard 'Dickie Tom' Thomas

• Her sister Cynthia Lee Powers

• Her sister Roseann Barone

• Her sister Sandra Edger

• Her mother: Patricia Powers

• Her father: Richard Powers

She will be remembered for her unwavering resolve, integrity, authenticity, and selflessness in life.