Catherine Ortiz, 76, schoolteacher, businesswoman and community activist

CATHY ORTIZ worked hard to bring beauty and good works to her city. Her activities for the greater good included Habitat for Humanity, Philadelphia More Beautiful, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, YMCA/YWCA and a number of organizations for young people.

All that while teaching in public schools for 33 years, running several businesses, raising a family and traveling the world.

She also managed to fit in four college degrees.

Catherine Janice Vinson Rivera Ortiz, who was also an outstanding cook whose peach cobbler and fried chicken were always in demand, died Saturday. She was 76 and lived in South Philadelphia.

"Cathy had a magnetic personality that attracted new friends wherever she journeyed," her family said. "Cathy never forgot a name, face or any story about anyone she met."

And since she spoke several languages, her acquaintances were from all over the world. As the owner of C&L Tours, her travel agency, she traveled widely with family and friends, amassing many stories of her adventures.

"Catherine was the matriarch of her family and remained available to guide, encourage and assist all of her family, immediate and extended," her family said.

She was born in Philadelphia the youngest of 11 children. Her parents were Rena Davis Berry and John Vinson. She attended Peirce Elementary School and graduated from John Bartram High School, and went on to receive degrees from Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University and Antioch University. She specialized in elementary education and special education and served as a reading specialist.

She taught at Nebinger and Stanton elementary schools, Barrett Middle School and Arthur Elementary. Her final school was Peirce Elementary, where her daughter Lorraine Rivera began her own teaching career. Cathy retired in 1998.

"She gathered many friends, who became extended family, from the schools where she worked," her family said.

She was a member of the Educators Roundtable, and was active with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

"Cathy encouraged her friends and family to discover their gifts, believe in their abilities, and strive for excellence," her family said.

Cathy married Sebastian Rivera and later Luciano Ortiz, both of Puerto Rico. Both are deceased.

She enjoyed helping young people find themselves through her involvement with Youth Works, the Pearl II Project, YMCA/YWCA, Headstart and the Marian Anderson Recreation Center.

In addition to her travel agency, Cathy and her three daughters ran Cathy Clothing Line & Wigs and represented World Book and Avon products over the years.

Cathy also was captain of the 1800 block of Latona Street, where she helped beautify the neighborhood with flowers and trees.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by two other daughters, Celita Rivera and Carla Ortiz; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Services: Funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 20th and Christian streets. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.