I literally just found this. I am heartbroken. Dr Zavala delivered my son in 1996 and I was crushed when she moved away. I used to love how she had so many pictures up in her offices of all "her" babies. I wish she could have delivered my daughter too. She was a great doctor and a wonderful human. She always had a smile that made you feel welcome. I have often thought of her over the years wondering how California was for her. I am sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences to all of you. Please know she is still living on strong in memories and stories. I do talk about her and how she was my favorite doctor! :)

Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Catherine. During our time together in Cedar Rapids, we always found you to be a positive influence in the lives of others. You will be missed by all.

We will never forget her gentleness, the way she would reassure us when we were going through a difficult time. My mother does not speak English but Dr.Zavala was always patient with her and tried her best to speak in Spanish to let her know everything was going to be okay. I won't forget with what love you would talk about your grandchildren, I hope they know how fortunate they are for having someone love them so much. Thank you, Thank you for always taking great care of us. You will be dearly missed. Deepest condolences to the family.

So sorry to here of the loss of one great doctor! I had the pleasure of being a patient of hers.........and loved the easy way she started off her conversations......always making me feel at ease & relaxed, always asking the right questions and always having an answer for me...... no matter how trivial my questions! She will truly be missed! To her family........my sincere condolences for your loss! May Dr. Zavala Rest In Paradise!!!!

My deepest condolence to Dr. Zavala's family. It was a great honor to have worked beside Dr. Zavala. She will always be remembered for her grace and skill she imparted to her patients. I was very fortunate to have shared time in this wonderful woman's life. God Speed. Dr. Zavala.

Dr. Zavala was with me through some pretty sad times and through good ones too. She was encouraging, kind, and caring; for that I will be forever grateful. I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Zavala touched a lot of lives and those memories are something death can't take from us. The world was a better place because she was in it, and I am so thankful our paths crossed. Thinking of all of you.

I am a family doc who worked with Cathy in Cedar Rapids for about 10 years until I left town in 2004.

She was a tremendous resource as a consulting OB/GYN and a delightful presence in the unit, always putting patient care first.

I consider myself lucky to have known her and even more fortunate to have worked with her. She will be missed in the medical community by physicians as well as by her patients; wherever she practiced i'm sure she brought joy and improved patient care!

I am sorry for your loss. Cathy was a classmate of mine in El Centro. While I did not know her well, my Mom, Jean Srite, worked with her Dad as a nurse at the Hospital in El Centro. She spoke very highly of him. She and my Dad visited them one summer while we were in Iowa visiting relatives. My Mother, also sends her condolences. I am glad she followed in her Dad's footsteps and loved the work she did.

My heart felt condolences to the family. Your mother was my doctor in El Centro, California. She gave me the best of care and advice. May your beautiful memories of her sustain you at this most difficult of times. God bless, Janet Otter

Zavala Family:

Jim and I are so very sorry to hear the passing of Cathy. We actually had connected on Facebook a few months ago and she was on our Facebook site for the West High Class of 1971. She was such a sweet person in high school and sounds like her good nature of being such a giving and understanding person continued on throughout her lifetime. What a loss to all of us and heaven above truly gained an angel. Once again we express our sadness and send thoughts and prayers to everyone of you.

Jim and Jan Callahan Barnes

She was an amazing doctor and human being. She will be missed.

My condolences to your family. She was very lovely lady & doctor. She was my doctor, I really liked her a lot.

Our heartfelt thoughts go to family and Tom. You are in our prayers as you heal from this loss.

Sincerely,

The Sabinske Family

Heartbreaking news. May God grant grace and peace to all of the family...and to close friends, as well. It has been a very long time since I last saw Cathy, but it seems like yesterday. Special greetings and prayers for Don Sr., Don Jr. & Becky.

I am so sorry to hear of Dr Zavalas passing. She was my OB/GYN while practicing in Cedar Rapids and she delivered both my children. She was a compassionate and caring person. My deepest sympathy to her family

My deepest and most sincere condolences to Cathy's family. May God richly bless her and all of you.

I am so very sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. I got to know her during her time in the El Centro Rotary Club. She always had the prettiest smile. My condolences to all of her family. May your many happy memories give you some comfort during this difficult time.

My deepest sympathies to family and friends of Dr. Zavala. Dr. Zavala was an amazing doctor and such a kind person. She was my doctor many years ago and helped me through a very difficult time. She will be greatly missed.

My Sympathy and Prayer to Tom and the rest of Cathy's Family.

I’m so sorry for such a big loss ! Thank you Doctor Zavala I will always be greatfull , thanks to her and her great knowledge I now have 3 babies without her and her recommendations I would not be a mother . Thank you and may you Rest In Peace

Our condolences to Cathy’s family. Having worked with Cathy as a partner at Ob/Gyn Associates for the duration of her time with us, I can attest to the profound love that her patients had for her. She was appreciated by many and will be dearly missed by many.

God bless

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Catherine Zavala. She was my doctor with both of our kiddos Ally & Nate and also came to my rescue during a distressing miscarriage. Her kindness and genuine compassion combined with her knowledge and expertise was everything you could wish for in a physician. I am grateful and blessed to have known her. My sympathies and prayers go out to her family & friends. God bless. <3

I am so sorry to hear of Dr.Zavalas passing.She was a wonderful doctor and person. Imperial Valley lost a treasure.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

To the entire Zavala family, My heart is so sad to not have Cathy with us, however know she’s always with us in spirit an our fond and loving memories. It has been such an honor to be with you all during this very difficult time in your life. Cathy was a dear friend. I have so many fond memories of our many days working together and our time we spent together having fun with each other. The best memory I will hold in my heart forever was her last beautiful smile she shared with me. She will be missed by me and so many others. Judy Stimmel

My sincerest condolences. Lifting entire family up in prayer. May God give you comfort & strength at this time. God bless you all

Dear Family and Friends, I am sorry for your loss. Though I only met Dr. Zavala a few times in El Centro at Doctor functions, I found her to be compassionate, nice,,and a caring individual. My condolences to your family and friends, and may you forever Rest In Peace and May God have mercy on your soul.

Dr. Zavala holds a special place in our hearts for the quality of care she provided during my first pregnancy. My sympathy for your loss.

My deepest sympathies to you at this time of great sadness. Dr. Zavala delivered my eldest daughter via emergency c section. She was wonderful, and her kindness gave me calm during a very stressful time. I am grateful for the impact she had on our lives.

We are very sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dr. Zavala, delivered both are kids (Zach 1994 and Krista 1996) in cedar rapids. She had such a kind heart, a great sense of humor and kept us calm having both kids.

I was saddened to see that she passed away but please know that she brought so much joy to us through the whole process of having both kids. We had to have a c-section with Zach and Jim was able to video the birth which was amazing, and you could hear her talking to Linda and Zach when he arrived. Jim told her he was not sure how he would do around needles and she said with a smile, well if you pass out, I am going to take care of mom and baby first then I will tend to you LOL.

She would be happy to know that Zach is a 5th grade school teacher in Iowa City and Krista is a senior in college majoring in religion and non-profit business.

All I can say is thank you God for bringing such an amazing person into our lives 23+ years ago.

Jim & Linda Waite

Cedar Rapids, IA

Thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time

I am so sorry to hear of Cathy’s death. She was my sorority sister and later my doctor and a really terrific person. The world will miss her.

Dr. Zavala was my physician while she was in Cedar Rapids. She was so kind and caring. I loved having her as my doctor and was so sad to see her go back to California. I was saddened to hear of her passing. My thoughts are with her family. I know she will be deeply missed.

Jeff and Steve, my heart goes out to you and your family. Your mom holds a special place in my heart as well as you two. May God give you the strength to get through this difficult time. I love you both.

I am so saddened to learn of Cathy’s death. We were very good friends when she went to high school at West high in Iowa City. I have many fond memories of our antics together for time we went to school together. What beautiful tributes both Jeff and Steve have left on Facebook. It is a tribute to the wonderful person she is. Clearly she loved and was loved by many very deeply. She touched so many lives that she will live on in our memories and hearts. My heart aches for Becky, Don jr., Jeff, Steve and Don Sr. as well as her husband and the others so close to her. I am blessed to have known Cathy and could call her my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. Barb Norris Eide

I was deeply saddened to read of Cathy's death today. I came to know her well while we were both practicing in Cedar Rapids. She was missed by many colleagues when she left Cedar Rapids to return to California. Her cheerful enthusiasm was infectious! She was a caring individual with a truly good heart. May God bless her soul.

To the friends and family of Dr. Zavala: I am so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of knowing her when I did my family practice residency in Cedar Rapids. She was an excellent teacher, and a kind, compassionate physician. She also helped care for me as a patient when I was hospitalized 22 years ago pregnant with triplets. The love and support she offered were invaluable in assisting me through the pregnancy. Thank you for sharing her with the world. Each colleague, student and patient she encountered had their lives enriched.

With sympathy and gratitude,

Sonia Sather

We are so sorry for your loss. Cathi is was one of a kind. We knew her through being friends and a patient. We had a piece of mind being under her excellent and progressive care. You were so fortunate to call her daughter, son, your wife friend and grandmother. She has such a great legacy as a great person with every hat that she wore. Hang in there until you meet again!!!! We're praying for you to be surrounded with comfort and love.

My sympathy to you. I worked with Dr. Zavala at Mercy in Cedar Rapids. She was a fine doctor and a great woman.aeHg5

He who has known us from the beginning of the world; He who knew us while we were being knit in our mother's womb has said "I will never leave you or forsake you"; and Paul said "to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord". Cathy has arrived. We love you and will miss you, until we meet again.

I find no words available to express my deep sadness and sorrow for the loss of a great lady of a legendary life history. I knew Cathy as an exemplary my medical student, a successful doctor and a superb mother of my dear, gifted student Jeff. I am sure that she is now in a better place than our earth. Hani Elkadi