Cathy

Catherine (Cathy) Louise McLean, age 73, of San Antonio, TX, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Cathy's life was defined by quiet generosity, unwavering devotion to her family, and a gift for making everyone around her feel cared for.

Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1952 to Leslie and Irene McLean, Cathy was the second of six children. She spent her childhood surrounded by siblings, filling long afternoons with imaginative games, neighborhood adventures, stacks of books, favorite records, and television and movies. Family camping trips each summer became cherished traditions and helped shape her lifelong love of simple time spent with the people she loved.

Always happiest with a book in hand, Cathy was often described as bookish. In high school, she chose to spend her elective period as a teaching assistant, finding genuine joy in helping her teachers and supporting her classmates. After graduating from David W. Carter High School in Oak Cliff, she began working at the camera counter at the local K-Mart. It was there that she met her future husband.

Cathy married Joe A. Gonzalez Jr. in 1972, and together they built a life in San Antonio, TX. They enjoyed trying eating out, attending local events, traveling, and creating lasting memories with family and friends.

Cathy began her career working with Bell South before continuing with Southwestern Bell and later AT&T, where she spent decades working in customer service through an era of remarkable change in the telecommunications industry. More important than the technology and work, however, were the friendships she built along the way. Cathy was proud to be a member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and retired from AT&T in the summer of 2025 after a long and dedicated career.

Of all the roles Cathy held, being a mother and later grandmother was the one she treasured most. Her four children and seven grandchildren were the center of her world. She never passed up an opportunity for a trip to the neighborhood pool, a walk through the park, or an afternoon wandering the mall and shopping with her grandchildren. She delighted in doting on them, making them feel loved, celebrated, and cared for.

Generosity was simply part of who Cathy was. She was the first to contribute to a fundraiser, a bountiful tipper to service workers, insisted on paying for dinner, or quietly helped someone who needed a hand. She gave freely—not because she expected recognition, but because of her altruistic nature, caring for others came naturally to her.

In 2017, Cathy married Daniel Selick, “Dan”, after sharing life together romantically since 2001 and being friends since the 1980s. They found great happiness in traveling, laughing, and enjoying one another's company, building a partnership rooted in friendship and love.

Cathy is survived by her stepmother, Mary Elizabeth "Liz" McLean; her sisters, Mary Chapman and Maggie Morand; her brother, Robert McLean; her children, Christopher Gonzalez, Andrew Gonzalez, Jessica Gonzalez, and Sarah Nairalez; her grandchildren, Madaline Gonzalez, Garrett Gonzalez, Jackson Gonzalez, Liam Harrington, Aidan Harrington, Iris Nairalez, and Phoebe Nairalez; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Irene McLean, and by her sisters, Patricia McLean and Susan McCutcheon.

A celebration of Cathy's life will be held on September 12th at 12pm, at Crowley First United Methodist Church in Crowley, Texas, hosted by her four children and their spouses.

Cathy strongly believed that kindness should be shared and that people should help one another. Whether supporting a local fundraiser or treating someone to a meal, she gave generously whenever she could. In honor of her generous spirit, the family asks that donations be made to one of the organizations chosen by her children. Scouting America, USO (United Service Organization) and PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).