Cobie Cashman was born December 15, 1934 in Lexington. She was the daughter of Mathilda and W. F. Blackerby. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, she worked as a stewardess for Delta where she met her husband to be, Gerry Cashman, on a blind date. They lived briefly in Madison, Wisconsin before returning to Lexington to start their family.
She had 4 children, Jamey, Bill, Mathilda and Patrick and was involved in all of their activities. In 1977, Gerry lost his battle with cancer and Cobie had 4 children (ages 8, 12, 16 & 17) to raise on her own. She worked and continued to be involved in everything her children participated in throughout the years.
After putting all 4 children through college, she expanded her charity work. Besides counting the offertory every Monday at her parish Holy Spirit Newman Center, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, helped deliver bread with the Catholic Action Center and spent almost 30 years selling tickets to the Catholic Social Services fundraiser. Anyone that knew Cobie, knew her passion for the party and knew if you ate at Suggins’ you would most likely be asked to buy a ticket if you saw her there!
Cobie loved her children and could not wait to be a grandmother. She had 3 grandchildren, Margaret and Emily Cashman and Gerry Young. She also took on another volunteer role at Maxwell Street Presbyterian day care where she would go almost daily to see her grandson Gerry and help feed and rock the babies there.
Cobie passed away in 2007 and is sorely missed by many.As a fitting tribute for her years of support, the agency renamed its fund which helps birth mothers, the Cobie Cashman Sanctuary Fund.
Catholic Charities is pleased to present Cobie this posthumous award.Her children, Mathilda and Patrick, accepted the 2011 Sister Fran Moore Award in her memory.