Cathron Deutsch Obituary (1926 - 2019)

Lavilla Cathron Rigney Deutsch of Groves, Texas -- known to friends and family as Cathron Deutsch or simply "Manu" -- died Sunday, January 13, 2019, in Groves. She was 92 years old. Born in 1926 to Lavilla Fulbright and Carl Monroe Rigney in Houston, Texas, Cathron traveled and lived throughout the world, though she ultimately considered Southeast Texas her home. Cathron was a 1944 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas. In 1948, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin at a time when few women were attending college. She had a lifelong love of the English language and, in addition to teaching English, would frequently handwrite letters to friends and family. She enjoyed helping others learn proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. On August 13, 1948, Cathron married George Carlton Deutsch Sr. They traveled extensively, living in Venezuela; Detroit Michigan; Denton Texas; Mexico City and Puebla, Mexico; Valencia, Spain and Graz, Austria; Together, Cathron and George had four children. Cathron worked with the Girl Scouts throughout much of her life and took great pride and joy in her time there. She was a Girl Scout leader in Mexico and Spain and, when she returned to Texas in 1971, became a Senior Field Advisor with the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Over the last 25 years of her life, Cathron lived between Houston, Port Arthur and Groves, though she was frequently involved with Christian missions throughout Mexico and South America. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Groves. Cathron had a love for the Hispanic community all her life and was fluent in Spanish. At First Baptist Church of Groves, she would teach English as a Second Language and citizenship classes to people from countries all around the world. In addition to her strong faith, love of scouting, and outreach to the Hispanic community, Cathron loved the great outdoors. She specifically loved camping, hiking, fishing, crabbing, and anything involving nature. One of her Girl Scout troops even nicknamed her "Rocky" due to her tough nature and willingness to "rough it" outdoors. Cathron also enjoyed baking, quilting, and arts-and-crafts activities. Cathron was preceded in death by her brother, Carl Monroe Rigney, and two of her daughters, Dr. Linda Cathron Deutsch King and Christine Marie Deutsch. She is survived by a sister and several children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly. Cathron's surviving sister is Mary Athlene Skaro, 90, of Corpus Christi; her surviving children and their Spouses are Carol Ann Benton and her husband Tommy Hart Benton of Groves, Texas, and George Carlton Deutsch Jr. and his wife Delisa Deanne Deutsch of Bedford, Virginia. Cathron is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Surviving grandchildren include Derek Ramos, Nora Moore, Christopher Monterrubio, Tania Gonzales Pacheco Deutsch, George C. Deutsch III, and Steven Deutsch. Surviving great-grandchildren include Macie Moore, Blake Moore, Dexter Deutsch, Sadie Deutsch, and Grace Deutsch. Throughout her life, Cathron always had a love for children. A memorial service celebrating the life of Cathron Deutsch will be held on Saturday, Feb 9, 2019 - 4:00PM at First Baptist Church in Groves, Texas. A reunion with family and friends will follow upon the conclusion of the services, at 1323 Port Neches Avenue in Port Neches, Texas.