Patricia Person Cathey

Patricia Person Cathey 1924 ~ 2008 Patricia Gene Person was born on Feb. 2, 1924 in Spokane, WA to Claude Stallard Person and Eugene Person, educators in public schools. She spent her childhood in the Spokane Valley, in the small communities of Veradale and Greenacres, and many summers on her aunt and uncle's farm in Harrington, WA. She also lived in Coeur d'Alene, ID where she graduated with the class of 1940 from Central Valley High School. Following the death of her father when she was 13, she and her sister lived for a year with her aunt and uncle in Aberdeen, WA, where she was to return during the war years to help manage her uncle's lumber company. In 1941 she entered the State College of Washington (now WSU) in Pullman. She completed a degree in General Studies with an emphasis in foreign languages (Spanish). Her college career was characterized by academic distinctions and leadership roles. She was Phi Beta Kappa, vice-president of Sigma Kappa Phi, vice-president and historian of Mortar Board, business manager of the college annual ("Chinook"), and a member of the Senior Class Executive Council. Her responsibilities also included serving as a sponsor for the military, Air Corps Princess, and president of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She graduated summa cum laude in 1945 and went directly to Washington, DC for special training in the Foreign Service division of the US State Department. She served for two years as Secretary to US Ambassador Dr. Frank P. Corrigan in Caracas, Venezuela. Pat met her husband-to-be, Bill Cathey, on a return visit to the U.S. in 1947 and they were married in 1948 in Veradale. They spent the early years of their marriage in New York City and Baltimore, and settled in Salt Lake City in 1962 with their three young children. Pat cultivated a wide range of interests throughout her life, including history, literature, current events and politics, music, and art. She was an avid reader of novels, biographies, American history, numerous periodicals and newspapers. She expressed her artistry through her enjoyment of pottery, quilting, needlework, gardening, cooking, and interior decoration. She also enjoyed sports, outdoor activities and travel, as long as she was physically able to pursue them. She particularly enjoyed tennis, camping with her family, and picnicking with friends. She loved solving puzzles and playing games. She had an active social life and valued her longtime friendships made through bridge clubs, book clubs and tennis. She also maintained close ties throughout her life with friends she made in her youth. She is preceded in death by her sister Betty and brother J.T. Person. She is survived by her beloved husband Bill, son Tully and daughter Henny of Salt Lake City, her son Fritz of Seattle, her granddaughter Sarah Soltar Cathey of Portland, OR, and her dear sister Laura Jo Barth of Vancouver, WA. She expressed a tolerant, resilient, independent and expansive spirit. Her sense of humor, her compassion and brilliance lifted and sustained those around her. She was deeply devoted to her husband and children, and she greatly valued her relationships with her extended family of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins. She died on August 26, 2008 in Salt Lake City, UT at St. Mark's Hospital with her family at her side. She meant beauty, intelligence and warm-heartedness to all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that her memory be honored by donations to the Red Butte Gardens of Salt Lake City, or to the Classical Guitar Performance Program at the U of U through the development office of the School of Music.