Lola Marie Cathey

Lola Marie Cathey
The family of Lola (DeeDee) Cathey are saddened to announce her passing on July 25th, 2014 after a four year battle with lung cancer. Her family was by her bedside with the help of Hospice of Humboldt County and her caregiver Karri Skidmore.
DeeDee was born October 10th, 1936 in Scotia, California to Cliff and Lola Cook. She attended Holmes Elementary School and Fortuna Union High School graduating in 1954. She attended College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University ultimately becoming a teacher at Bridgeville Elementary School. She taught third, fourth, and fifth grades at the same time in the same room. DeeDee then became the principal of the school for many years while still teaching three grades. She followed this with a stint as principal at the Dutch Flat- Alta Elementary School in Placer County, California. Returning to Humboldt County, she became a substitute teacher and Special Education teacher at Loleta Elementary School. After retirement she was approached to set up a program for developmentally disabled adults in the Fortuna area. This proved to be a difficult challenge in many ways, but eventually the Diane Cathey Center was born and is still going strong.
DeeDee was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, DAR, Redhats, Kiwanis International, and the Redwood Genealogical Society, among others. She was a greatly involved parrisoner of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Fortuna. She was also a faithful registered voter.
DeeDee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David Lee Cathey; and her daughter, Esther Diane Cathey.
She is survived by her son, Bruce Cathey and his wife DeeDee; her daughter, Pamela McKenna and her husband Dennis; her grandchildren, Melanie Fraley, Ben McKenna, Jill Cathey, and Caren McKenna; her great-grandchildren, Cassius, Payton and Jorden Klinetobe; her sister Billie Machado in St. Marys, Idaho and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 9th, at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Fortuna at 16th and L Streets starting at 2:00 pm. There will be a reception following the service at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lola's name to the Diane Cathey Center at 2800 School Street in Fortuna, Hospice of Humboldt at 2010 Myrtle Avenue in Eureka, and the American Cancer Society at 2942 F Street in Eureka. You can also call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.
Arrangements are under the care of Gobles Fortuna Mortuary, 560 12th Street, Fortuna, California.

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