Catherine Billings Gerding

Catherine Billings Gerding, 94, of Satellite Beach, FL, passed peacefully in her home at Glenbrooke Senior Living on Friday, September 18, 2026, surrounded by family. Catherine was born and raised in Swissvale, Pennsylvania. She attended Carnegie Tech for Library Sciences and worked in the library before meeting the love of her life, John Matthew Gerding, on a blind date. They dated while Jack attended The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and married soon after his graduation. Through his Air Force career, they lived across the nation until they settled down in Satellite Beach, FL. They spent 55 wonderful years together raising 5 exceptional children.

Catherine loved bowling and was a passionate bridge player. She was an active member in the Catholic Church, the Red Hat Society, and volunteered as a Grey Lady. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crafting such as sewing, embroidery, decoupage, and painting china.

Catherine is preceded in death by her father, Harold Billings, mother, Margaret Billings, and husband, John Matthew Gerding.

She is survived by her younger sister, Virginia Basa; her children, John Matthew (Nancy) Gerding, Jr., Elizabeth (Stanley) Carlisle, William (Laurie) Gerding, Joseph (Melinda) Gerding, and Michael (Martha) Gerding; ten grandchildren, John Matthew (Amber) Gerding, III, Jackie (Nate) Harrell, Tim (Ali) Anderson, Kathleen Gerding, Jimmy Anderson, Andrew (Sherrill) Gerding, Warren Gerding, Jillian Gerding, Dylan (Gloria) Gerding, and Megan (Triston) Vaira; and eight great-grandchildren.

Viewing and services will be held at Holy Name Catholic Church in Satellite Beach, FL. In keeping with her wishes, Catherine will be cremated and interred at their Memorial Gardens. All arrangements are being managed by Beach Funeral Home.