Cara Susan Brahm passed away peacefully at her home Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Lebanon, Kentucky.  She was 49.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Sue Ella Cissell, and two sisters, Lisa Cissell and Mindy Filiatreau.  Cara was a 1994 graduate of Marion County High School.  She received AB in Applied Science from St. Catharine College in 1996.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Laurel Brahm of Lebanon; three sisters, Shannon (Jonathan) Duvall of Flat Rock, NC, Renee (Mike) Kaminski of Lebanon, and Terri Voils of Bardstown; one brother, Michael Cissell of Loretto; five nieces, Bayly (Semie) Cash, Taylor Cissell, Abbi Cissell, Ava Duvall, and Avery Voils; six nephews, Sawyer (Colleen) Filiatreau, Nick (Abby) Kaminski, Braydon Cissell, Will Kaminski, Archie Duvall, and Leo Voils; two great nephews, Brean Cash and Anson Filiatreau; one great niece, Quinn Filiatreau; one brother-in-law, Chris (Pam) Filiatreau of Bardstown; stepmother, Phyllis Tobe Cissell of Louisville.

Cara had many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  She was especially blessed with the gift of her lifelong friend, Mary Ford.  She also loved her constant canine companion, Koda.  Cara was very grateful for her second chance at life after receiving a lung transplant in 2014 and donated many hours as an enthusiastic volunteer and Ambassador for the Donate Life organization.  She also participated multiple times in the Transplant Games along with her sister, Lisa.  Cara enjoyed watching the Kentucky Wildcats score a win and quoting the many seasons of the Office reruns that she loved.  She was a Golden Girls superfan and enjoyed watching them and collecting fun memorabilia from the show.  She enjoyed her weekly workouts with the Silver Sneakers exercise group.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Cara Susan Brahm will be celebrated at 10 am Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 59 New Haven Road, Loretto.  Rev. Richard T. Goodin will officiate.  Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

The memorial visitation is 4-8 pm Tuesday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 pm by Rev. Deacon Joseph R. Dant.

Memorial donations can be made in Cara's name to Donate Life Kentucky Trust, 10505 Watterson Trail, Louisville, KY 40299 or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1941 Bishop Lane #108, Louisville, KY 40218