NORTH CAROLINA, Dec. 6 – Mark Cathey, M.D. passed away Thursday, December 1, 2011. Dr. Cathey was born in South Boston and raised in Keysville, and was the son of Joel Cathey and Aurelia Eller Cathey. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Eller Jr.

Mr. Cathey packed more living into thirty years than a normal person does in a lifetime. He graduated Salutatorian from Fuqua School and attended undergraduate school at The College of William and Mary where he was a Monroe Scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. After college he became a member of The Professional Ski Instructors' Association, while he taught children to ski at Big Mountain, Montana. He completed medical school at The University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Mr. Cathey served his residency as a Pediatric Physician at Duke Children's Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Cathey, M.D.; paternal grandparents, Glenn and Mary Cathey; maternal grandmother, Aurelia Eller; sister, Sharon Smith and husband, Ryan; sister-in-law, Rachel Ball and husband, Carter; mother and father-in-law, Ellen and Steve Previs; and many faithful friends.

A memorial service was held at The Doris Duke Center at Sarah P. Duke Gardens Sunday, December 4 with Gary Jones officiating.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Duke Children's Hospital, Office of Development, 512 South Mangum Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27701.

The family is being assisted in Durham by Clements Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences can be made at www.clementsfuneralservice.com.