Catherine Natalia Zeas, lovingly known as “Cathy” by her family and “Cat” by her friends, passed away on September 22, 2026, at the age of 18. Born in Huntersville, North Carolina, on February 7, 2008, Cathy lived in Edgemoor, South Carolina, surrounded by family, love, and the support of the people who cared deeply for her.

Cathy was a beautiful young woman, both inside and out. From the time she was a little girl, she had a remarkable gift for making people feel loved and cared for. She loved giving hugs so much that while she was in kindergarten, she received an award for being the child who gave the most hugs. Her hugs were more than physical affection—they brought comfort. Cathy had a special ability to make people feel better simply by being there.

She could not stand to see someone sad. Whether through a hug, a kind word, a joke, or one of her unforgettable facial expressions, Cathy had a way of changing the atmosphere around her. She was hilarious, and her laughter was contagious. Even on difficult days, hearing Cathy laugh or watching her make one of her funny faces could make the whole family smile.

Cathy was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. She loved her younger brother, Bryan, deeply. When he was born, she naturally took on a nurturing role, almost like a little mother. As they grew older, their relationship developed into a beautiful bond of friendship, trust, and love. They dreamed of traveling the world together.

She was also very loving towards her younger siblings, Travis D. Fisher and Brianna Fisher. Cathy would do her little sister’s hair, particularly when the family was getting ready to go to church. These simple moments became precious memories that will remain forever.

Cathy was raised surrounded by the love of her grandparents, Fausto Espinoza and Blanca Rojas, and she loved them deeply. She would do anything for them. Her relationship with her uncle, Carlos Espinoza, was also especially meaningful. They played together, laughed together, and helped her with her math homework. Cathy treasured her uncle and the time they shared.

She was also deeply loved by her grandparents Lois Fisher and the late Danny “Papa Dan” Fisher, as well as her aunts Tasha Dora and Tanya Hall and their families.

Cathy had a strong desire to serve others. From the age of 11, she faithfully volunteered in the children's ministry at The Cove Church, where she spent many years giving her volunteer time, love, and attention to children. She especially enjoyed helping children who came from Spanish-speaking countries and would translate for those who were new to the church.

Her desire to serve extended beyond the church. Cathy was passionate about JROTC and dreamed of serving in the United States military. Her grandfather, the late Danny “Papa Dan” Fisher, had served in the Marines, and Cathy hoped to follow in his footsteps. Although her lung condition prevented her from pursuing military service in the way she had hoped, she continued to serve wherever she could. She participated in her school's JROTC program, including rifle activities, and volunteered alongside her teacher and mentor, Colonel James Lander, whom she lovingly called “Uncle Colonel.” His guidance and the time they spent together were very important to her.

Cathy was a senior in high school and was working toward completing her high school diploma while also taking college courses at York Technical College. She was actively applying to colleges and scholarships and dreamed of studying cybersecurity. She was determined to create a future for herself, and when someone told her that something could not be done, Cathy was the kind of person who would do everything in her power to prove that she could.

Cathy faced challenges throughout her life, including serious lung condition and difficult emotional experiences. Yet she refused to let those challenges define her. She was strong, brave, compassionate, and determined. She knew what it meant to struggle, and perhaps because of that, she had an extraordinary tenderness toward people who were struggling emotionally. Even when she was carrying her own difficulties, she encouraged others, cheered them on, and reminded them that they could keep going.

Cathy also had a deep love for animals. She was especially attached to her beloved pet, Jonny, who passed away in January 2024 after battling cancer. Losing Jonny was very painful for her, and his memory remained a special part of her heart.

Cathy loved reading, listening to her favorite Latin music, riding roller coasters, and experiencing life. She loved Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she especially enjoyed snow days and the excitement that came with them. She was learning to speak Spanish more fluently and enjoyed connecting with her family and her heritage.

Most importantly, Cathy loved God.

She was baptized at the age of nine and carried her faith in her own personal way. Her relationship with God was genuine and deeply personal. She knew Jesus as her Savior and prayed in her own time and in her own way. Cathy demonstrated her faith not only through words but through the way she treated people—with kindness, compassion, love, and a desire to stand up for those who were being treated unfairly. She cared deeply about people and animals and was never afraid to speak up for what she believed was right.

One of the Scriptures that held special meaning for Cathy was Matthew 6:9–13, the Lord's Prayer. Her mother, Ximena, taught her this prayer when she was young, and Cathy remembered those childhood moments of praying together with her mother and brother. Those memories became a beautiful connection between her childhood faith and the woman she became.

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” — Matthew 6:9–13

Cathy also loved the worship song “Who I Am.”

Cathy leaves behind her mother, Ximena Fisher; her father, Oswaldo Zeas; her stepfather, Travis Fisher; her stepmother, Natalia Zeas; her siblings, Bryan Zeas, Travis D. Fisher, and Brianna Fisher. She also leaves behind her grandparents Fausto Espinoza and Blanca Rojas, and her Uncle Carlos Espinoza, many friends, teachers, mentors, and others whose lives she touched.

To her mother, Cathy was her firstborn daughter and a piece of her heart.

Ximena will forever remember the little girl who was once so tiny, precious and who grew into a beautiful young woman. She will remember Cathy's laughter, her hugs, her humor, her interruptions, and the way she could walk into a room and change everyone's mood.

She will remember working from home and telling Cathy that she had a meeting in five minutes, only for Cathy to come in and interrupt anyway—moments that sometimes seemed ordinary at the time but have now become priceless memories.

Ximena will remember how Cathy always checked to make sure her mother was okay. She will remember how Cathy could make her laugh when she was having a difficult day. She will remember being told that they looked like sisters and will treasure that forever.

Cathy was a wildflower—full of life, curious about the world, and eager to experience everything. She wanted to live, explore, serve, love, laugh, and make memories. Her mother wanted to protect her from every hardship, but she also knew that Cathy had her own journey to walk.

Cathy lived her life surrounded by love and support. She lived with courage, gave generously, loved deeply, and made an impact on people around her.

A Daughter Loved by Two Fathers

Cathy was deeply loved by both of her fathers, each of whom shared special and unforgettable memories with her.

Her biological father, Oswaldo Zeas, was filled with joy when Cathy was born. Before she arrived, he eagerly prepared for his little girl, painting her room yellow and making sure everything was ready to welcome her into the world. As Cathy grew up, Oswaldo created many special memories with her. They played guitar and sang together when she was little, celebrated birthdays he lovingly planned, and traveled together, including trips outside the country. He cherished his time with Cathy and was proud to be her father.

Cathy also shared a loving and special relationship with her stepfather, Travis Fisher, whom she affectionately called “Fishies.” Cathy could talk to Travis about anything, and he was always there to listen, support her, and love her.

He knew some of her favorite things, including her favorite spaghetti and ice cream, and enjoyed surprising her with them.

One particularly special memory was when Travis took Cathy trick-or-treating and Halloween attractions, even though Halloween was not something he personally enjoyed. He did it because Cathy wanted to go. Her happiness mattered more to him than his own preferences. It was one of the many ways he showed her his love—by entering into the things she enjoyed simply because they brought her joy.

These memories are a beautiful reflection of the love that surrounded Cathy throughout her life.

Her family finds comfort in knowing that her life was not forgotten or without purpose. Cathy lived the life that God allowed her to live, and her family trusts that she is now in the presence of Jesus. Though the separation is painful beyond words, they hold onto the promise that this is not goodbye forever.

Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25

And again:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

Cathy will be remembered for her kindness, her courage, her laughter, her hugs, her love for children, her love for her family, her willingness to serve, her determination, her faith, and her ability to make people feel better even while she was facing battles of her own.

Her parents, siblings, family, and friends will carry her memories in their hearts until the day they meet again.

Until we see you again, Cathy. We love you. We will miss you every day. Your life mattered. Your love mattered. Your laughter mattered. And the mark you left on this world will remain with us forever.

Funeral Services

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at:

Palmetto Funeral Home 2049 Carolina Place Drive Fort Mill, South Carolina 29708

Burial will follow the service.