Cathy Sue DesRochers

Cathy Sue Cornell DesRochers, 70, passed away unexpectedly at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 29, 2025. She was born on September 3, 1954, in Jamestown, New York, to Arletta and Gordon Cornell.

A 1972 graduate of Cassadaga Valley Central School, Cathy later earned her Registered Nurse degree from Jamestown Community College in 1980. Soon after, she relocated to St. Petersburg, where she began her nursing career at the VA Hospital. Cathy ultimately found her calling in elder care, serving as Director of Nursing at several local nursing homes until her retirement in June 2022. Known for her deep compassion, she was a trusted caregiver, mentor, and friend to many throughout her career.

Cathy loved spending time with her family—camping, playing cards, visiting casinos, and cooking everyone's favorite comfort foods, especially seafood boils, sausage gravy and biscuits, and her famous dirty rice. She also found great joy in gardening, nurturing both plants and people with her steady hands and open heart.Cathy’s porch became a sacred space for late-night talks, where comfort and connection were always found.

She is survived by her mother, Arletta Cornell; her children, Cameron (Jennifer) Bernard and Stephanie (Andrew) DesRochers; stepdaughter, Missy (Todd) Liberty; grandchildren Devin, Jason, James, Yzzy, Jennifer (Sarah), Christian, Arianna (Nathan), and Ethan; two great-grandchildren; and siblings Donald (Dianne) Cornell, Brenda (Sam) Knight, Andrea Cornell, and Guy (Jody) Cornell. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon Cornell; her husband, Henry “Hank” DesRochers; and her son, Jeffery Bernard.

A celebration of Cathy’s life will be held on Saturday, September 20, at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr. MLK St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., with a service to follow at 11 a.m. All who knew her—family, friends, coworkers, and anyone touched by her kindness—are warmly invited to attend.