CATHERINE COLT YANDELL

CATHERINE COLT YANDELL - WILLISTON - Cathy Yandell died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at her home, surrounded by family. Her passing followed a long and spirited battle with dementia. Born on Sept. 17, 1921, to Samuel Sloan and Margaret Van Buren Colt, Cathy grew up in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. She attended the Shipley School and the New York College of Art before marrying David W. Yandell in 1940. She and David first lived in New York City, where he practiced law until his deployment during World War II. Cathy worked at Halloran Hospital in New York City, rehabilitating severely wounded soldiers while David served with the 8th Air Force in Europe. Following W.W.II, Cathy and David moved to Williston where they raised their family over the next 68 years. Cathy was active in her community, involved in numerous community projects and causes, and serving on the boards of Vermont non-profits including the Lund Home, the Vermont Red Cross, the Audubon Nature Center in Huntington, and the Vermont chapter of the National Audubon Society. Although raised in Christian Science, she attended the Williston Federated Church for many years. She was active in conservation efforts in Vermont and a driving force behind Williston's protection of the Mud Pond natural area, creation of the Williston Memorial Garden, and conservation of the Old Brick Church in Williston Village, an important architectural landmark and historic site. Cathy was a remarkable woman who will be remembered for her generosity, kindness to all living things, and reverence for beauty, qualities she valued in others and strived to instill in her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children and their families, Hope; Christine Rother and son, Sloan; Katherine Daily and son, Matthew; Robin; and David and wife, Lauren, and their sons, Evan, Duncan and Wilson. She was predeceased by siblings, Richard Colt and Marion Williamson; husband, David; and an infant daughter. The family wishes to express deepest thanks to Heidi Karic, Christa Lyman, Christine Johnson, Carol Peters, Jessica Marrier, Jamie Broomfield, Abby Desrocher and Dr. Hannah Rabin for their compassionate care of Cathy during her illness. A memorial service will be held at the Old Brick Church in Williston in May. Memorial donations may be sent to the Audubon Nature Center, 255 Sherman Hollow Road, Huntington, VT 05462.