Catherine Azora-Minda

Gardner, MA / Minneapolis, MN – Catherine Azora-Minda, 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Catherine graduated with the Class of 1961 from Marshall High School. She also attended North Hennepin Community College. After college she was a truck driver and later she worked for the Raven Art Gallery. She spent much of her life in her beloved hometown, where she cultivated deep and lasting relationships with family and friends.

Catherine was a woman of many passions, but few rivaled her lifelong love of music. She shared this joy generously with her community as a longtime DJ for KFAI, a cherished community radio station in Minneapolis. She was member of the women’s radio collective until she began her own show called Womenfolk. Her voice and music selections became an inspiration to many.

In 1986, she met the love of her life, Boden Azora-Minda. They married in 2004. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared purpose. The couple relocated to Gardner, Massachusetts, in 2002, where Catherine continued to serve her community as the Administrative Coordinator for the Unitarian Universalist Society of Gardner. Her warmth, dedication, and ever-present kindness touched many in both cities she called home.

Catherine was also known for her legendary chocolate chip cookies, which brought joy to countless friends and gatherings — a small but memorable symbol of her generous spirit.

She is survived by her devoted partner of 38 years, Boden Azora-Minda; her brother, Clifford Johnson, and his wife Betty of Cold Spring, Minnesota; her sister, Carolyn Ozcan, and her husband Erses of Ankara, Turkey; and her nieces and nephews: Mary Thompson of Keene, NH; Grace Thompson of Grafton, VT; Mandi Tollefson and husband Brian of Los Angeles, California; Clayton Thompson of Grafton, VT; Levent Ozcan and his wife Mai Chue of Robbinsdale, Minnesota; Deniz Ozcan and his wife Natalia of Savage, Minnesota; Dan Calder and his wife, Cara; and James Calder of Kentucky. As well as grand-nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Jennifer Dircz, in 2019; and by her sisters, Cindy Calder and Chris Smith.

Catherine also leaves behind her cherished feline companions — Herbert, Ari, and Siouxsie — who brought her daily joy and companionship.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Catherine’s life will be held on a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Gardner, 66 Elm Street, Gardner, MA 01440.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden, MA.