Catherine Jane Heath

Catherine Jane Heath “Cat”, age 81, departed this life on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at UCONN Medical Center with her family by her side. Born on August 11, 1938, Catherine was the eldest of 14 children born to the late Mamie Bailey (Weaver-Copes) and the late Aelix Copes in Hartford, Connecticut. A graduate of Hartford High School, Catherine worked in various positions within the State of Connecticut until her retirement from Cedarcrest Hospital in 1996. Catherine was a lovely woman, immensely compassionate, thoughtful and generous. Catherine maintained deep relationships with people and always had time for friends and family. She believed that the impossible could become possible with hard work and God on her side. With a can-do spirit and a tell-it-like-it attitude, Catherine was a champion of education. She was a staunch advocate and team member of the ground breaking voluntary desegregation program “Project Concern'' founded in Hartford, Connecticut. 

She was not one to sit on the sidelines when there was work to be done! She volunteered for many community programs including Riverfront Recapture and One C.H.A.I.N.  

As a dedicated member of The First Cathedral Church, Catherine was a member of the Hospitality and Willing Workers committees. She enjoyed bowling, baking, cooking, traveling, laughing and hosting family and friends for Friday Night Fish-Fries.

Catherine was predeceased by her husband, Zepheniah Heath, brother Chester Copes and sister Glenda Copes-Reed. She is survived by her 6 children: Leonard E. McIntee (Laurie), Karen Copes,  John Lawrence Percy, Victoria Copes, Connelius Percy (Alison) and Nicole Heath. 10 grandchildren: Farron, Julia, Erica, Takisha, John, Jearad, Alanah, Shanell, Travis and Jhalon and 1 great-grandchild, Louis. 11 Siblings: Ronald Copes (Melva), Dr. Paul Copes (Barbara), Cynthia Copes-Carr (James), Rev. Gloria King (James), Karen Bailey-Addison (Michael), Kenneth Bailey II (Edna), Jeanette Bailey-Spence, Mark Bailey (Rosa), Michael Bailey (Lenore), Nadine Bailey, and Norman Bailey. As well as honorary daughter Ashanti King, honorary son Sterling Harris, longtime sister-friend Queenabell Killens as well as a  host of family and friends who will cherish her memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catherine Jane Heath, please visit our floral store.