CATHERINE HUNT FERREE

CATHERINE HUNT FERREE 4/9/1946 - 2/7/2011 CHARLOTTE - Cathy Ferree, a long time resident of Charlotte, died at home almost three years after she was diagnosed with cancer. Cathy was born in Hartford, Conn. and grew up primarily in Pittsfield, Mass. She graduated from Kent School in Kent, Conn. in 1964, and was in the first group of girl students who made Kent School coed in 1960. She attended McGill University and completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Cathy was an avid naturalist and outdoors woman. She worked for the Appalachian Mountain Club in the early 1970's, then moved to Vermont in 1973 to help open Eastern Mountain Sports in South Burlington. She worked for the US Forest Service in Vermont for several years while she was in the graduate forestry program at UVM. Cathy also studied accounting and had her own bookkeeping business. She was with TDBank for the last 15 years, where she worked tirelessly as an assistant vice president and regional tax advisor for Vermont and New York. Cathy was a passionate protector of animals and served on the Board of the Humane Society for several years. She loved music and was a member of South County Chorus and United Church of Hinesburg choir. She was a gifted gardener, who loved to share her knowledge of plants and trees with others, and a lively friend who was always open to adventure, whether it was sailing, hiking, traveling or partying! After being diagnosed with cancer, Cathy became actively involved with the Cancer Support Center at Fletcher Allen Medical Center and was determined not to let cancer inhibit her life. She received outstanding care at Fletcher Allen and Massachusetts General Hospital and she maintained a remarkable quality of life while dealing with her illness. She did not want to consider dying, so she focused her energy on living large and was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles Edward and Mildred House Ferree; and her niece, Triona Marno Ferree. She is survived by her brother, Charles Ferree of South Hero; her sister, Beth Ferree and brother-in- law, John Eaton of Lafayette, Calif.; her niece, Linden Marno Ferree; and her three nephews, Charlie, Matt and Chris Eaton. The family wishes to thank the health care professionals at the VNA of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, Fletcher Allen's Hematology /Oncology Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital, who cared for Cathy and respected her wishes to live life to the fullest and to die at home. Donations in her name may be made to VNA of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties' Hospice Program, c/o Ann Irwin, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446 (www.vnacares.org/donate) or to the Cancer Patient Support Program at Fletcher Allen, PO Box 64700, Burlington, VT 05401 (www.cpspvt.org) There will be a private celebration of Cathy's life in the spring.