Catherine Cortez, a lifelong resident of Hereford, entered her eternal home and the presence of the Lord on Saturday, November 1, 2025. She passed away peacefully in her home. She had just celebrated her 91st birthday with her children surrounding her on October 13th.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 7, 2025, with Celebrant John Valdez officiating, burial to follow at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery in Hereford. Viewing will be on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the funeral home; a rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Arrangements and Services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford.

Catherine Delores was born to Cornelius Drerup and Agnes (Bezner) Drerup on October 13, 1934, in Hereford, Texas. She was the second of fifteen children.

As a single mother of seven, Catherine attended W.T.S.U. in Canyon, Texas, and earned her degree in Education. Ironically, it was her first year at W.T.S.U. and her eldest's last year when they attended together. She would go on to teach within the Hereford Independent School District for thirty-seven years until retirement. She was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

After retirement, Catherine enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, watching all sports, especially the Texas Rangers, and game shows, especially her ultimate favorite, Jeopardy!

Her greatest joy in life were her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the special relationships she had with each of them individually; whether it was daily or weekly phone calls, trips with a carload of kids to Dallas and Austin, summer stays with Grandma, a child's marriage, births of her grandchildren, a simple hello, or an I love you.  She treasured each moment and shared those memories as often as possible with so many. Catherine was KPAN's 1982 "Mother of the Year."

Left to cherish Catherine's beautiful memory are her children, Dave Cortez and husband Ronnie of Flint, TX, Julie Cortez of Hereford, TX, Steve Cortez and wife Margo of Amarillo, TX, Vince Cortez and wife Shelly of Austin, TX, Lisa (Cortez) Lucero and husband Jimmy of Canyon, TX, and Eric Cortez and wife Rhonda of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Matthew Cortez of Frisco, TX, Jeremy Cortez and wife Lyz of Quinlan, TX, Sarah Cortez of Amarillo, TX, Erin Cortez and partner Kelly of Corinth, TX, Sabrina (Cortez) Allbright and husband Justin of Godley, TX, Ariana Cortez of Brussels, Belgium, Deron Lucero and wife Melissa of Amarillo, TX, Emma Cortez and Hope Cortez of Austin, TX, and August Connelly of Dallas, TX; great grandchildren, Faith and Elijah Cortez of Quinlan, TX, Kingston Cortez of Corinth, TX, Kennon Lucero and Cameron, Connor, and Kyson Gross of Amarillo, TX; brother Henry Drerup and wife Julie of Sebastopol, CA; one aunt; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members, Raul "Bully" Cruz, Jolynn O'Leary, Brandon Flood, Jamey Wallace, Randy and Francie Farr, Myrna Buckley, Joe and Barbara Kerr, Troy Don Moore, Zilvia and Mark Bartels, and Tonia Ramirez family of Austin, TX.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, son Chris Cortez, nine brothers, four sisters, special friends Tonia Ramirez and Mary Gonzales.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Anthony's Endowment Fund, 114 Sunset Dr., Hereford, Texas, 79045.

Cards can be sent to Julie Cortez, 1003 S. Lee Ave, Hereford, Texas, 79045.