Norma Catherine Bua

Norma Catherine “Cathy” Bua

Famed Cathy’s Rum Cake creator and founder, Cathy Bua passed away on February 8, 2025. Norma Catherine Vaiana was born in Hollywood, California on April 22, 1937, to John and Fay Vaiana nee’ Cimino. Cathy’s father worked for RKO and Desilu Studios in Hollywood, so Cathy grew up surrounded by many famous stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Cathy attended and graduated from John Burrough’s High School in Burbank, California in 1955.

There was one great love of Cathy’s entire life and his name was Tony Bua. Like her own, Tony came from a large and close-knit Italian family. Tony proposed to Cathy in early 1955 and as it so happened, the day of the proposal Tony and Cathy were at the studio visiting Cathy’s father. Movie star Ginger Rogers was also there and upon learning of Cathy and Tony’s engagement, Ms. Rogers announced the news to those gathered and sang “My Funny Valentine” to them.

Cathy and Tony moved to Chandler, Arizona in the early 1960’s when Tony was stationed at Williams Air Force Base as a student pilot. In 1971 Cathy and Tony decided to make Chandler their permanent home, as Tony started his career as a pilot for TWA. Cathy and Tony lived in their home on north Jay Street in Chandler the rest of their lives and enjoyed the company of many close friends from their neighborhood. 

Cathy was never content simply being what was referred to in her era, as a “housewife.” Having learned the intricacies of cooking and baking from her mother, her creative drive inspired her to begin baking birthday and celebratory cakes for her friends and neighbors using her secret rum cake recipe. Her cakes were such a hit that in 1975 she started her own business, Cathy’s Rum Cake which would eventually become Cathy’s Rum Cake Caterers. One of the first weddings Cathy catered was for the daughter of her friend Oneta Vance, which led to more high-profile weddings and celebrations across Arizona. Cathy catered and baked many cakes for the famous of the day, including Vincent Price, Robert Redford, and Ralph Lauren, who personally asked Cathy to deliver a cake to him in New York City. 

Cathy’s Rum Cake was perhaps the most celebrated catering company in the Phoenix metro area in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. If Cathy catered one of your affairs you had definitely arrived. Her events were magical and Cathy left no detail incomplete. She could cater a four-hundred-person wedding, a cocktail party, and a sit down for eight all in one evening. Cathy always made it seem easy, but those who worked for her knew the work that went into making a party perfect. Cathy’s sister Joanne Menapace, and her mother Fay were instrumental in her success and worked long hours beside Cathy in her catering business. Cathy also enlisted a number of young high school students to work for her as well. She affectionately called them her “Rum Cakers.” Cathy generously provided college book scholarships for many of those students as a reward for their help in making her a success.

In addition to her creative drive, Cathy loved to travel. On a whim, Tony would call her and say “meet me in London” and off she would go, sometimes in the midst of entertaining people in her home! She would simply say, “Tony called and I’m going, have fun!” She and Tony traveled the world and enjoyed the perks of free air travel with TWA. Cathy also played an active role in the Chandler community and was a life member of Chandler Service Club.

As the infirmities of old age encroached, Cathy never lost her drive to create. On a cane and then a walker, Cathy was still baking cakes in her kitchen on Jay Street. The last year of Cathy’s life was difficult, as she was unable to enjoy cooking and baking, but she was still looking at recipes, envisioning her next party, and always hopeful she might get back in the kitchen. 

Cathy is predeceased by her parents, her husband Tony, her sister Joanne, and her son Bennie. She is survived by her granddaughter Isabella Bua, her daughter-in-law Cindy Bua, her former daughter in law Barbara Bua, her nephew Michael Menapace (Becky) beloved cousins Sam Cimino (the “Godfather” of the family), Lissa Cimino, her brother-in-law, Ben Bua (Sara), and many cousins and countless friends who loved and adored her. Her kindness and love were a blessing to all who had the good fortune to know her. Cathy’s family wishes to thank Agave Hospice and the staff of East Desert Sun Assisted Living for their care and support the last year of Cathy’s life.

Somewhere, Cathy is running around, baking a cake, putting together a beautiful and lavish party and waiting for her guests to arrive. 

Services for Cathy will be private and will be limited to close friends and non-estranged family members. This obituary has been authorized, approved and published by Cathy Bua’s legal heir, Isabella Bua. Any obituaries or legacies published or posted online by anyone else, without the approval of Isabella Bua, cannot be relied upon for factual accuracy. For information concerning services please contact Steven@arizonamediation.com.