Cathleen L. Duerig

Cathleen Duerig, 75, of Peterborough, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on September 14th, 2025, with her family by her side, following a brief battle with cancer. She was born on December 4th, 1949, in Salem, New Jersey, the daughter of Joseph and Lois Loconti.

Cathy grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, where, from a young age, she displayed a natural talent for sewing, crafting many of her own clothes from fabrics and patterns she carefully chose herself. During her four years at Natick High School, she discovered a love of music and delighted in attending dances with friends.

She began her college journey at Cazenovia College before transferring to Franklin Pierce University in 1969, where she met her lifelong partner and husband of 54 years, Bill. Together, they shared a deep love of music and concerts—a joy that would weave through their life together. Later in life, Cathy often smiled at the sign on her wall that read, “I might be old, but I got to see all the cool bands.”

After moving to Peterborough in 1983, Cathy poured her energy into family life. With Bill, she raised their two daughters, Kerry and Courtney, filling their home with love, laughter, and cherished traditions. She had a special knack for Christmas shopping, effortlessly building impressive mountains of gifts. Alongside her mother, Lois, she created holiday celebrations that became treasured family memories. Cathy was known for throwing unforgettable themed birthday parties, applauding her daughters’ school performances, and encouraging every new hobby or interest they pursued. Much of the family’s everyday joy revolved around her kitchen, where she cooked meals that became favorites for both family and friends. Always capturing these moments on film, Cathy ensured birthdays, holidays, and simple everyday pleasures were preserved in home movies to be treasured for years to come.

Cathy was a partner in her family business, Paper Thermometer Co., and worked there until retiring in 2010. In retirement, Cathy and Bill spent winters in Naples, Florida, where she delighted in walking the beach, collecting shells, and photographing sunsets and wildlife. She enjoyed sharing these snapshots with the world, posting them on Instagram to spread the beauty she found. They also loved supporting local restaurants, both in Naples and Peterborough, and Cathy could often be found in spirited conversation, debating her strong conservative political principles.

Cathy had a gift for connecting with people. She loved meeting new friends and could strike up a conversation with anyone, often staying late at bars to swap stories of travel, concerts, politics, and current events. Bartenders and staff knew Cathy and Bill by name, and many became close friends. Together, they were the kind of people everyone was happy to see walk through the door: warm, genuine, and full of life.

Cathy’s passions were many: she cherished her collections of handbags and jewelry, was a voracious reader with favorites including Anne Tyler and Alice Hoffman, and enjoyed traveling to far-off places like Europe and Alaska, filling her life with adventure and memories. Above all, her heart was devoted to family. She loved her children and grand-pets fiercely, taking joy in every moment of their lives.

Cathy will be lovingly remembered for her sharp wit, her passion for the things she believed in, the way she noticed the little things, and the love she gave so fully to her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bill, her daughters, Kerry and Courtney, her brother-in-law Tom and his family, Karen, Thomas, and Johnathan; and her sister-in-law Barbara’s family, Darci, Stephan, Cade, and Reese. She also leaves behind her cherished grand-pets, Kitty, Farrah, and Remi, who brought her much joy.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 5th, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at the Waterhouse Restaurant in Peterborough. All who knew her are welcome to attend. Please RSVP online here. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org.