Cathy V. Cook

Bolinas, CA - April 9, 2026 - Long-time Silicon Valley communications strategist Cathlyn "Cathy" Valerie Cook, 77, who crafted messaging for Apple co-founder Steve Jobs when he launched Pixar and NeXT, and dozens of other technology giants and start-ups, died April 6, 2026 at Webb House in McMinnville, TN near her family.

For 40 years, Cathy offered technology companies an informed perspective and knowledge of the zeitgeist that helped CEOs develop company positioning, messaging, and identify competitive/comparative advantages. She was fearless at identifying the Big Picture, and helping executive staff formulate "go to market" strategies. Her CVC Consulting of Bolinas, California launched some of the most innovative technologies and counseled executives about how to tell their stories.

She began her Silicon Valley career with the famed Regis McKenna, helping introduce many practices that power mainstream technology marketing, including perception audits. Her clients included Intel, IBM, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lab for Computer Science, Hewlett-Packard, Citi's Global Innovations Group, Sony Electronics, General Magic, and Harvard Business School Publishing. For FORTUNE magazine she created exclusive forums introducing top editors to new technologies yet unknown publicly.

Besides Jobs' startups, Cathy launched Roku, Sling Media, GarageBand, Odeo (now Twitter), and several venture capital firms.

When American entered the Information Age in 1990, the FBI began investigating cybercrimes. Early technology innovators and advocates, including the late John Perry Barlow; Mitch Kapor, inventor of Lotus 123; Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; and John Gilmore of Sun Microsystems, responded by establishing the Electronic Frontier Foundation to protect cyberspace freedom. They hired Cathy, who was earning her master's degree in public policy at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government at the time, to publicly launch EFF.

Her passion for public policy led her to work in conjunction with technology conference and event producers to advance public discussions about the future of technology and our climate. Often journalists writing books about how technology changes society depended on Cathy to read early drafts. She also taught public relations and communications at San Jose State University.

Cathy traveled the world extensively often collecting folk art, pottery, and paintings. She surfed, skied, hiked, read voraciously, and most importantly attracted a wide circle of friends. During her last decades she lived beside the Pacific Ocean in her beloved Bolinas, CA with her dogs. Among her volunteer work, Cathy served on the board of the Coastal Health Alliance of West Marin, CA for seven years. She graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian and Chinese studies, and was goalie of the women's soccer team.

Born January 4, 1949 in Washington, D.C, where early in her career she helped manage a bookstore, she was the daughter of the late Edward Knox Cook and G. Hope Richardson Cook. Cathy's grandparents were Horatio Nelson and Edith Scooffy Cook, members of two prominent San Francisco families during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cathy is survived by her sister Nora Harvey of Dowelltown, TN; brother Peter Cook of San Francisco, CA; niece Hannah Maloney of Joelton, TN; nephew Sam Harvey of Costa Rica; great nieces Claire Maloney and Alma Rose Harvey, and great nephew Elias Harvey, and many friends.

"Cathy, as a communications professional, was the best information trader and secret keeper I've known - a great advantage in the world of communications strategy. She was always a gracious and loyal friend even in the worst of times," said former Silicon Valley tech reporter Mary A. C. Fallon.

Mike McGuire, a media/technology analyst, said Cathy taught him a key fundamental of technology marketing, "What I learned was that taking time to really know who the audience is for any communication, analyst briefing, or press release, is more important than "speeds and feeds."

"Cathy was the doyenne of the perfect business soiree, the nexus between technology and business journalists and PR pros and, without a doubt, always the smartest person in the room both intellectually and intuitively," said Leigh Anne Varney, founder of Varney Business Communications. "We partnered for two decades, launching startups such as GarageBand, and working with Silicon Valley venture capital firms, such as New Enterprise Associates. We became lifelong friends. I am forever grateful to have been in her orbit."