Pray for +Cate Mueller (5/11/1965 - 5/10/2024) - Funeral June 17

Cate Mueller passed away on May 11, 2024, a day before her 59th birthday. We pray that Cate may rest in peace. Funeral arrangements will be announced when they are available. Below are the heartfelt words from Cate's husband, Dan, on CaringBridge:

"I am saddened to tell all of you that love Cate so much that she passed away peacefully last night at 8:55PM surrounded by her children and husband and family friends.  Today is Cate's 59th Birthday, one she is celebrating in Heaven with the Lord.  While we grieve for our loss, we are also celebrating Cate's eternal glory in heaven and looking forward to being with her again.  I will do my best to respond to you as you reach out over the next few days, but please be patient if I do not get back to you right away.  I cannot even begin to thank everyone over the last 20 months that have reached out and provided us with love and support as we endured Cate's battle.  The strife is over, the battle is won. Cate is where she is in peace and is now someone we can pray to to intercede on our behalf as we continue with our lives. She will never be forgotten and we will love her always.  Thank you.  Dan"

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

VISITATION Sunday, June 16 in the afternoon and early evening 1-5pm at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343

FUNERAL MASS Monday, June 17 at 9:30am, with VISITATION and eulogies from 9:00-9:30am, at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, celebrated by Very Rev. J. David Carter, JCL, JV, Pastor & Rector. 

BURIAL will follow at 11am at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404.  

FAMILY WILL RECEIVE VISITORS Monday, June 17 from 1-4pm at Cate's childhood home at 1012 Hanover St, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

See the below for opportunities to help the Mueller family. 

WAYS TO HELP

MEAL TRAIN for the Muellers

To donate a meal, or money towards a meal, call or text Ellen Kelley, longtime friend of Cate at 423-580-8328.


GARDEN CARE for the Muellers

Cate has been concerned about caring for her flowers at her home and her family home. Anyone interested in helping spruce up Cate's flower beds, please contact [email protected]

Pray

Please join in prayer for Cate's soul and for her family. 

Eternal rest, O Lord, grant unto them, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May Cate Mueller's soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet 
 

Obituary of Catherine Tinkler Mueller

View on Hamilton Funeral Home website

Catherine Tinkler Mueller died on May 10th, 2024. Born in Knoxville, TN, to Professor John and Mary Tinkler, she moved to Chattanooga in 1967.

As a child attending the Bright School Cate excelled in gymnastics including being an overall Tennessee State Champion. Cate also excelled academically as a co-valedictorian from Girls Preparatory School (1983), earned a B.A. (1987) from Duke University and masters degrees from American University (1996) and the Naval War College (2006).

After receiving her commission as an ensign through the Naval ROTC program at Duke, her first assignment in the Navy was as a Communications Officer at San Miguel, Philippines. Upon returning to the States, Cate transitioned into the Navy Public Affairs community, where she spent the rest of her Navy career, retiring as a Captain. Highlights included time as a Public Affairs Officer for Commander Naval Logistics Group Pacific in Singapore and Commander Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy. Cate first perfected her media relations skills as a spokesman for the US Atlantic Fleet and later as the head of the Navy’s News Desk in the Pentagon, where she survived the 9/11 terrorist attack.

In retirement she worked as a civilian at the US Navy History and Heritage Command in Washington, DC, until retiring to Chattanooga in 2015. She pursued her love for gardening, becoming a certified Master Gardener. She was involved in veteran’s affairs in Chattanooga, working on the opening and dedication of the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and moving war memorials being relocated from Patten Parkway. She was an active member and officer of the Nancy Ward Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as a lector at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Daniel Mueller, sons Mitchell and Patrick (Gabriella) and daughters Caroline and Mary Elizabeth, and brother, Michael Tinkler.

Visiting hours will be from 1:00PM -5:00PM Sunday, June 16 at Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service (4506 Hixson Pike).

A scripture vigil led by Father Carter will be held on Sunday at 4:30 pm at Hamilton Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, June 17th at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul located at 214 E Eighth Street at 9:30AM. Military Funeral Honors Ceremony and interment will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 11:00AM at 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center PO BOX 11467 Chattanooga, TN 37401  or Catholic Charities of East Tennessee at https://ccetn.org/donate/ .

Updates during Cate's Illness

Update 5/10/24: Cate is no longer conscious and is resting peacefully as she awaits the Lord to come and take her. She is surrounded by family. Continued prayers for a peaceful death are welcomed. 

Update 5/7/24: Cate Mueller went home from the hospital today to begin comfort care. Most of her family members are with her. We pray for Cate and commend her to the intercessory power of the Servant of God, Father Patrick Ryan, to provide for her the graces God desires for her in her time of need. 

Update 5/3/24: Cate's cancer has spread further and now her right lung is not working. Tonight she experienced a pulmonary embolism and is in critical condition. Please pray for her and her family.



Update 2/15/23:  Cate Mueller received positive results from the radiation on her brain. The four spots they had radiated in October had either been reduced greatly in size (2) or completely eliminated (2). The doctors discovered there had been a fifth tiny spot they had overlooked, and Cate had this spot radiated a few days later. Cate will have an MRI every three months, but her brain treatment is complete. 

Cate’s lung tumor has been greatly reduced following chemotherapy, to just 37% of its former size! On January 9, Cate began a year-long series of monthly immunotherapy treatments to reduce the mass that remains in her lung. She is not noticing side effects from this treatment and is feeling good spiritually and physically. Cate has been praying for healing through the intercession of Servant of God Fr. Patrick Ryan. 





Update 12/13/22:  In October, Cate began a long course of treatment. She first had radiation for her brain cancer, followed by chemotherapy for her lung. She is now having radiation treatment for her lung and is expected to finish that on December 15. In January, she will begin a year-long immunotherapy treatment regimen. A scan will be taken at the end of January to see where she is. Already the lung tumor has gotten smaller! 

During all this treatment, Cate has remained hopeful and upbeat. She has experienced very few of the possible tough side effects, and she attributes this to the prayers and support she has received from friends and family. Cate shares:  “If there's someone you haven't spent time with in awhile--whether in person or on the phone or by text or a greeting card--I urge you not to wait for some particularly propitious chance... just DO IT. Showing our love and care for each other makes us all happier and healthier.  And thank you all again for how your support has lifted me up.” 

October 2024:  On Sept. 29, 2022, Cate Mueller went to the hospital for speech difficulties she thought indicated a stroke, and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had also spread to parts of her brain. 

Cate has undergone radiation and chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. The side effects have been minimal and she has tolerated the treatments with grace and even humor. 

Cate is married to Dan Mueller, our Basilica Usher Coordinator and Knights of Columbus Liaison, and she is active at the Basilica as a Lector and a member of the Finance Council. 

Follow Cate's Journey

See what Cate and Dan have written on her CaringBridge site. You can sign up to follow her CaringBridge site, and offer words of encouragement. 

Visit Cate Mueller's CaringBridge Site




A week after learning of Cate's diagnosis, the Muells enjoyed a weekend in North Carolina on a college visit for their daughter Mary.



Cate and Dan Mueller met while they were both on active duty in the Navy. Cate and Dan have four children, Mitchell, a student in Computer Engineering at UTC; Patrick, the Executive Producer for Digital Media at WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida; Caroline, a sophomore at UT Knoxville; and Mary, a student at GPS in Chattanooga.