Catherine N. Perez
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Catherine N. Perez

  • January 19, 1973 - July 11, 2012
  • Williamsburg, Virginia
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“Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We hope you can find peace in your wonderful memories of Catherine. Sincerely, David, Amy, Mira, and Eva...Read More » ”
1 of 32 | Posted by: David and Amy Cabrera - MD

“Dear Cathi - I am so sorry to learn of your dreadful loss. i remember you from Ft. Hood Texas in the early '70's ... before this child was born......Read More » ”
2 of 32 | Posted by: Martha (Burgess) Franklin - VA

“Jake- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family at this very difficult time. Sending you lots of prayers. Donna...Read More » ”
3 of 32 | Posted by: Donna Fowle - Frederick, MD

“Jake, So very sorry to hear about Catherine's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls as you journey forward with all the...Read More » ”
4 of 32 | Posted by: Gina Faricy

“Jake: Our contact was but a fleeting one--I'm the "meeter-greeter" at MCV's STICU. But there was something about you and about your family which...Read More » ”
5 of 32 | Posted by: Boib Hiett - Richmond

“Cathi & Vardell, We are very sorry to learn of Nikki's passing. Knowing words do not help much, we want to express our condolences. We pray for...Read More » ”
6 of 32 | Posted by: Sue & Al Nason - Fairfax, VA

“We are all just floored by this heartbreaking and tragic loss. Catherine had it all, beauty and brains, strength and courage, patience, compassion,...Read More » ”
7 of 32 | Posted by: Jamie May - Williamsburg, VA

“Jake, I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. ”
8 of 32 | Posted by: Natalie Deming - Columbia, MD

“Dear Jake I am so sorry for your loss. You and your daughters will be in my thoughts and prayers. ”
9 of 32 | Posted by: Anna Goodman

“Dear Jake, My heart goes out to you and your girls. I am so very sorry for your loss and saddened that her life was cut so short. Catherine was...Read More » ”
10 of 32 | Posted by: Barbara Elliott - Newport News, VA

“Jake, Katy, & Ellie, I am so sorry to hear of brave Catherine's passing. You will be in my thoughts. /gayle ”
11 of 32 | Posted by: Gayle Dow - Williamsburg, VA

“So sorry for your loss! Heartfelt prayers for you and your family. ”
12 of 32 | Posted by: Colleen Murray Bowers & Family - FL

“Jake, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. --Ellen Leschek ”
13 of 32 | Posted by: Ellen Leschek - Bethesda, MD

“Jake, I'm so sorry to hear of this news. Thinking of you and your little girls. -Jen B. ”
14 of 32 | Posted by: Jen Beaudet - MD

“Our hearts ache for your loss. What a special lady. We will keep you in our prayers. ”
15 of 32 | Posted by: Helen West - Rockville, MD

“Dear Jake- I’m so sorry to hear about Catherine’s passing. My heart goes out to you and your little girls. Mary ”
16 of 32 | Posted by: Mary Tabakin

“Dear Jake, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I remember how gracious and kind Catherine was two years ago to share her experience with me. She...Read More » ”
17 of 32 | Posted by: Karen Davison - Silver Spring, MD

“Dear Jake, I was so sorry to read about Catherine yesterday. I only met her once briefly when she visited MMG with Katy years ago but I remember...Read More » ”
18 of 32 | Posted by: Mickie Dalty

“Jake, Katy & Ellie: I'm so sorry to hear that Catherine lost her battle this week. It's not fair that someone so peaceful and kind had to leave this...Read More » ”
19 of 32 | Posted by: Karen Elligers - VA - friend

“Catherine, Our hearts are filled with wonderful memories of you. You will be always remembered as a loving wife, mother and a compassionate...Read More » ”
20 of 32 | Posted by: Tomas M Perez-Febles and Hildita - FL

“Catherine & I were in the Peace Corps together in Thailand. We shared many incredible adventures & moments, including our extraordinary trip to...Read More » ”
21 of 32 | Posted by: Laura Masko - San Francisco , CA

“Dear Jake, Katy and Ellie: Although I did not have the honor of knowing Catherine, I feel so much empathy and sympathy for you. My daughter-in-law...Read More » ”
22 of 32 | Posted by: Karen Laufer - Williamsburg, VA

“Vardell & Cathi, We are so sorry for the loss of Catherine. Kim and I offer prayers for her, for you, Jake, Katy, Ellie and all of the...Read More » ”
23 of 32 | Posted by: Tony & Kim Grayson - Chesapeake, VA

“Dear Mr. Jake Perez, I worked with Catherine as a school psychologist during the past year in Virginia Beach and was assigned to be her "mentor"...Read More » ”
24 of 32 | Posted by: Patricia Kimball - VA

“Jake, I had the pleasure of meeting Catherine when she was my oldest son's guidance counselor at Lafayette High School and then I had the delight...Read More » ”
25 of 32 | Posted by: Patty Kunze - Toano, VA - friend

“Jake, Katy, and Ellie, We are praying for all of you. May love and happy memories surround you at this time. We love you. ”
26 of 32 | Posted by: Heather and Blair Brown - VA

“We are holding you and your family so tightly in our hearts, Jake. Much love and prayers to you and your family as you go through this difficult...Read More » ”
27 of 32 | Posted by: Laura Kingsley - Falls Church, VA

“I knew her as Nikki Nesmith when we were young and our parents were friends. I was shocked and saddened when I heard. I am so sorry for your loss. ...Read More » ”
28 of 32 | Posted by: Ellen Baily Bertanzetti - NC

“Jake, We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that we are praying for you and your family. Carrie Bowles ”
29 of 32 | Posted by: Carrie Bowles

“Dear Catherine, I will always remember your smile and laugh and the jovial times we shared as friends during our time in Thailand. You were...Read More » ”
30 of 32 | Posted by: Jonathan Freeland - Kansas City, MO

“Catherine was one of my closest friends during the Peace Corps. She was so much fun to be around and such a thoughtful person. I could always count...Read More » ”
31 of 32 | Posted by: Sarah cohen Stoelting - CA

“Jake, very saddened by this news. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. ”
32 of 32 | Posted by: Matt Flynn - Bethesda, MD


Catherine Nesmith Perez, 39, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away July 11th, 2012 after a courageous battle against breast cancer. Catherine had an inspiring zest for life, deep passion for adventure, and never ending love for her family and friends.

After traveling the world with her parents and brothers, Catherine attended the University of Virginia, where she double majored in Foreign Affairs and German Language and Literature. Inspired by her father's adventurous spirit and her mother's compassion, Catherine joined the Peace Corps in Thailand upon graduation. After a successful and rewarding tour in Thailand teaching children English, Catherine moved to Washington, D.C. in 2000, where she met her husband, Jake Perez, at National Geographic. A fairytale love culminated with their marriage in May of 2003.

Catherine's compassion to work with children led her to pursue an advanced degree at the College of William and Mary. In 2005, she obtained a Master's of Education in School Counseling, earned Phi Beta Kappa Honors, and began her career serving as a guidance counselor at Lafayette, Warhill and Jamestown High Schools.

In 2006 the Perez family welcomed their first child, Katherine, "Katy," Morgan Perez-Nesmith. Soon after Katy's birth, Catherine was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her courage, strength and passion for life allowed her to conquer the disease. She became active in education and advocacy for other victims, speaking at high schools about cancer awareness and was a founding member of Beyond Boobs, a Williamsburg support group. Catherine's passion to increase cancer awareness and support didn't stop there as she co-founded Relay for Life teams at Lafayette and Warhill High Schools.

Wanting to make a greater impact on youth, Catherine returned to William and Mary and obtained an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology, and again earned Phi Beta Kappa Honors. She worked as a school psychologist in Virginia Beach, always endeavoring to make a difference in the lives of those around her.

In 2010 Jake and Catherine were blessed with a second beautiful daughter, Eliana "Ellie" Rosa Perez-Nesmith. Full of energy, love, passion and zeal, Katy and Ellie represent the very best of Catherine. Catherine's beautiful spirit and legacy lives on in her daughters and in all of the countless lives she touched around the world.

Catherine, you filled our lives with love, light and laughter and inspired us with your zest for life and adventure. Our hearts are aching, and we will forever miss you. We cannot thank you enough for the precious legacy you have left behind. You made this world a much better place for all of us.

Catherine is survived by her beloved husband and soul mate of nine wonderful years, Jake Perez, her loving daughters, Katherine "Katy" Morgan Perez-Nesmith and Eliana "Ellie" Rosa Perez-Nesmith; her parents Cathi Nesmith and Vardell E. Nesmith Jr., Colonel, Infantry, Ret.; her brothers and their wives, Vardell E. (Michelle) Nesmith III and Douglas C. (Amanda) Nesmith; and the large and loving extended family of Dr. Joaquin M. and Clemen A. Perez-Febles, Rosa R. Arrieta, Alicia M. (Ricardo) Perez-Arrieta, Virginia P. (Subir) Dutt, Clementina P. (Joseph) West, Pedro J. (Mary) Perez-Arrieta, Agustin D. (Melinda) Perez-Arrieta and Ana M. (David) Perez-Arrieta.

Services will be held at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg on Monday, July 16 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support breast cancer at either the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Beyond Boobs (www.beyondboobsinc.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.