TRAVERSE CITY — Teresa "Catherine" Dancer passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at her home in Traverse City, at the age of 45, following a courageous 26-month battle with brain cancer. She was under the loving care of her family, aided by Munson Hospice, at the time. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 1, 1966, Catherine was the youngest of six children of Clifford Justin Craft (who predeceased her in 2007) and Carolyn Mary Craft of Malibu, Calif. Catherine grew up in the beautiful beach community of Malibu surrounded by the love of a close-knit family and community. She attended Our Lady of Malibu Catholic School through eighth grade (1980), Louisville High School (1984) and UCLA (1988), where she graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts. While still in college she met the absolute love of her life in Mark Dancer. After marrying in 1989, and living and working in the Los Angeles area in the real estate and professional acting and writing fields, Catherine joined her husband, Mark in returning to his hometown of Traverse City in 1993 so that Mark could establish a law practice and the couple could raise their young family. Catherine immediately fell in love with Northern Michigan, and for many, became their favorite "California Girl." Catherine's warm, kind, generous spirit and personal "grace" endeared her to everyone she met. And everywhere she went, she made friends, many of whom she had since childhood. It is the compassion and devotion of these dear friends that helped give Catherine hope in her battle against cancer. Catherine became deeply involved in many local community activities, including serving as PTO President/Secretary for Eastern Elementary School, taking a leading role in the restoration of the City Opera House and also serving on its Board of Directors, participating in various animal rescue programs, helping to further local youth dance and acting programs, working as a hospice volunteer and performing fundraising for a variety of local causes, including founding the fun and successful "Powder Puffs on the Peninsula." Blessed with a large, extended family that adored her, Catherine is survived by her devoted husband of 22 years, Mark; and daughters, Rebecca and Jessica — Catherine's greatest joys and inspirations. "Peeps," as Mark referred to Catherine, will always be the love of his life. Mom, friend, mentor, dance instructor, confidant, theatrical coach — Catherine was all of these things, and more, to her girls. Catherine is also survived by her loving mother, Carolyn; and siblings, Carol Abrams (Gerard), Jeannie Craft (Scott), Geri Frazier (Mark), John Craft (Katherine) and Dorette Wilfley (Mark), all of whom will sorely miss Catherine's special sense of humor, creative spirit and fun-loving personality. Mark's parents, Jane Strauser and Richard Dancer, Mark's brother, John and his wife, Barb Dancer, all of Traverse City, were Catherine's "second family" who cherished her and will also deeply miss her in their daily lives. Catherine was loved by her 16 nieces and nephews who viewed her as the "most fun" aunt they could ever have. An animal lover to the end, Catherine will be sorely missed by her amazing Boxer "Latte" and Puggle "Nilla" as well as her cat "Mittens." A celebration of Catherine's life will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at the City Opera House, located at 106 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49684-2509.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Catherine's name to the City Opera House. Please sign Catherine's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.