Catherine Louis Irwin was born on January 1, 1956 in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan. She was the daughter of Robert and Madalyn (Downing) Irwin.

She was killed in a car/train accident on November 3, 1973 in Britton, Lenawee County, Michigan. Catherine was 17 years old at the time and is buried in Ridgeway Cemetery in Ridgeway Township, Lenawee County, Michigan.