No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Cate Worden, who is a Florida Keys native through and through. After leaving for college and starting her family with her husband Allen, who is the owner of Selevel General Contracting, she returned home 11 years ago to raise their four sons, ages 5 to 12.
As a certified teacher, she stays busy leading a local homeschool group, conducting academic evaluations and managing the books for the family business. When she isn’t volunteering in youth sports or at her church, you can find her on the volleyball court at the MHS gym or at home with the boys and their poodle, Mickey.
CATE WORDEN
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys? I love the tight-knit community! Yes, everyone knows everyone’s business and there’s the coconut telegraph, but people also care and look out for each other.
What’s a local business you couldn’t live without? Irie Island Eats. They have delicious food and the owners are so supportive and generous within our local community.
What is your greatest fear? Complacency.
Which living person do you most admire? My mama, GayAnn Tangen. She has endured so much in life and yet still holds firmly to her faith and purpose here on Earth. It’s a true miracle she’s still alive today and I’m so grateful for her unconditional love.
What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show right now? TV Show: “When Calls the Heart.” My kids enjoy watching it with me and we discuss the time period as part of history. I’m a teacher so I can make anything educational!
Book: The Bible.
Movie: “Pride and Prejudice.”
What’s a talent you wish you had? To sing and play the piano well.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why? My husband always makes fun of me because I don’t like change, so maybe to learn to embrace it more?
What is your most marked characteristic? Patience.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Snuggling with my kids.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A butterfly, because they are gentle and graceful and beautiful.
What’s a habit you’d love to break? Overthinking things.
What is your greatest regret? Generally, any time I offend or hurt someone’s feelings, because I never mean to.
What’s something you’re really proud of? Delivering four babies naturally! Three with no pain medication, including one weighing over 10 pounds.
What is your most treasured possession? My water bottle – I literally take it everywhere.
What do you most value in your friends? Authenticity.
What’s a simple pleasure that brings you joy? Chocolate and a nice hot bath.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn? I’m naturally a free spirit and not a planner or go-getter.
What are your favorite & least favorite smells? My favorite smell is gardenia flowers. My least favorite is rotting seaweed.
What was in the last Amazon package that arrived? Four different-sized baseball cleats for my son to try on since we live on an island and don’t have time to go shopping two hours away.
What’s one of your all-time favorite movie quotes? “If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient?” – “Evan Almighty”
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?”
Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
