Cathy Colleen Leary

1954 - 2017

Cathy Colleen Leary (Jones)

Dec. 14, 1954 - Sept. 27, 2017

Cathy Colleen Leary, age 62, of Thermal, CA passed away on September 27, 2017. Cathy was born December 14, 1954 in Lebanon, OR to Vern and Helen Jones. Cathy graduated in 1973 from Sweet Home High School where she was on the Swim Team and Track Team. Cathy recalls many fond memories of cultivating her love of gardening with her father, learning to water ski on Foster Lake and snow ski in the Cascades of Oregon. After high school, Cathy earned her cosmetology degree and was a Hair Dresser for 30+ years.

Cathy met her husband John at a baseball game and the two fell in love on their first date at the Strawberry Festival in Lebanon, OR. They were married August 5, 1980. When John joined the military in 1985, Cathy's life would forever change. She was very proud to be a military wife and made numerous life long friends in each of their posts: Ft. Campbell (KY), Schofield Barracks (HI), Ft. Carson (CO), Ft. Lee (VA), Ft. Irwin (GA), Giebelstadt, Germany. She loved the beaches of Hawaii and the Mountains of Colorado especially. Through John's military service they were able to travel all over Europe and even visit Seoul, South Korea. She left behind may treasures from their travels that will serve as a reminder of all their adventures.

For those who knew Cathy, she will be remembered as a kind and loving soul who had a great sense of humor. One friend wrote of Cathy, "Cathy, to know you was to love you. Simple as that. And to know you was to never forget you no matter how many miles or years were between us." All who knew her will say that she kept an immaculate home, cooked the best Chicken and Dumplings in the world and would make you laugh or smile. Simply put, Cathy was one good egg.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Vern and Helen Jones. She is survived by her husband, John, her two boys: Jason and his wife Carrie and John (JB) and his wife Kaitlin, and two granddaughters: Chloe and Caroline Joy. She is also survived by her sister Rose (husband Avriel) Albrightson and brother Randy (wife Annette) Jones. Cathy has many nieces and nephews who adore her and she will be sorely missed by all.

A private service was held on October 2, 2017 at Weaver Mortuary & Crematory in Beaumont, CA. Cathy wished to be cremated and have her ashes spread at the butte in her hometown where she spent many happy years of her childhood.

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