Catherine Mallette

Catherine J. Mallette

Ridgeland, MS

Catherine J. "Cathy" Mallette joined her departed family and friends in heaven on Thursday, January 2nd, after a brief stay in the hospital.She was born Catherine Gale Johnston on August 19, 1930, to Amory Gale Johnston and Catherine Cordelia Gormley Johnston. Though living in Bainville, Montana at the time, only 60 miles from the Canadian border, her parents travelled 25 miles to Williston, North Dakota so Cathy could be born in a hospital. She grew up paddling, portaging and fishing the rivers and lakes of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and southern Canada with her father and grandfather. Her formative years were spent in Duluth and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and she spent many happy summers at her family's cabin on Lake Minnetonka. One of her fondest memories was when her father Amory caught the largest Lake Trout in North America on a bitter cold day, earning a medal from Field and Stream magazine. Cathy moved to Greenville, Mississippi with her parents during her teens. She graduated from Greenville High School in 1948, then attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri for two years. She was awarded a prestigious Fashion Merchandizing internship to work at Mademoiselle magazine in 1950. She spent several months working on the magazine staff in New York, and was fortunate to meet Eleanor Roosevelt, whom she always admired for "her grace and charm." Cathy graduated from Ole Miss in 1952, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She met the love of her life, Tommy Mallette, when she caught him running through the Grove one sunny Spring day, and they married soon after. Their family of six was complete by 1958, and after her four children reached school age Cathy helped Ben and Eleanor Fitzhugh manage daily operations and marketing at the Carriage House women's clothing store in Jackson. She then worked for the state of Mississippi for many years, reviewing and processing grant applications.She is survived by her four children, all of whom live in the Jackson area, and eight grandchildren. They are Dr. Robert Mallette, his wife Mary, and their children Drew and Dan; Jack Mallette and his children T.J., Elise and Mary Kate; Gale Purser and her daughter Amelia; and Jim Mallette, his wife Debbie, and his children Katie and Brad.It is a testament to Cathy Mallette's love and devotion to the Lord, her extended family, and her beloved husband of over 61 years that she followed him to Glory a mere two weeks after he departed this life. She had no desire to live in a world without Tom Mallette in it. So she celebrated Christmas with all of us the day after burying her husband, told us all she loved us, and somehow we knew it was goodbye. She was at peace during her final days here on earth, surrounded by those she loved with all her heart, and she has now found eternal peace in Heaven. Unless dad and his buddies insist on playing their clarinets and jitterbugging, then she'll jump right in.We would like to thank Dr. Mike Beall for his devoted care of the entire Mallette family. We would also like to thank Padre Juan Chavajay for his spiritual care, and for administering Last Rites to both Cathy and Tom Mallette. Funeral services are being arranged by Wright and Ferguson. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Richard's Catholic Church on Saturday, January 11th, with visitation at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park following the services. Memorials may be directed to St. Richard's Catholic Church in Jackson, MS.