Catherine Lynette Goggia

1959 - 2021

CATHERINE LYNETTE GOGGIA 1959 2021 You are invited to celebrate Catherine's life on Sunday, August 29, 12:00-3:00 PM, at The Barn at Meriam Park, 1930 Market Place, Chico. "Invoking my spiritual nature moves me closer to conscious living. Ask for knowledge of the truth and the vertical (spiritual) arm of the cross IGNITES!" Author: Catherine Goggia When you see a hummingbird, pause, and feel the presence of our friend and family member, Catherine Lynette Goggia, also known since childhood as Tinker Bell; she will always be with us in one form or another. The world was forever changed with her arrival on January 17, 1959 (Paradise) described by her Mom as sporting a dimple and wavy brown hair. Our world forever changed with her passing on July 15, 2021. Catherine is survived by her brother, William (Skip) Goggia Jr., along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and sister-in-law, Paula Alcazar. Her greatest joy and adoration are for her nephew Will Goggia Jr. (Willie T) married to Katie. Catherine was elated to hear about Will and Katie's soon-to-arrive baby girl. Her family extended to people from all walks of life from childhood friendships that blossomed in Paradise, CSU Chico college buddies, infamous book club aficionados, workmates, Butte College students and clients, and Butte Meadows clan and protectors where she lived for 23 years "basking in the creative heaven that is nature." She is preceded in death by her loving parents, married 50 years, and lifelong residents of Paradise, Carmen Goggia and William Goggia Sr. and her grandparents. Her parents raised her to appreciate home, family, animals, and friends were always welcomed. Her life-long devotion and harmony with her animal family, her "comfort animals", was heartwarming and oozed with love for Otter, Badger, Skunk, Snowflower (the cow that grazed into her life on Christmas day), and most recent best friend and buddy, Jade, a rescue pup. She was known to leave snacks and drinks for those hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and much to the confusion and amusement of many friends, a shot of J„germeister was her trademark drink. Those that knew Catherine describe her as joyful, caring, vibrant, motivational, humorist, bird watcher, storyteller, voracious reader, rockhound, camper, gardener, dune buggy and boat guide/chauffeur, actress, gun enthusiast, athlete of many sports including softball, basketball, field hockey, and darts, and talented artist www.catherinegoggia.com. Visitors to her Butte Meadows cabin were treated to outdoor exhibits including cedar sculptures and great, free standing impressionistic paintings, set against a natural backdrop of the magnificent meadow behind her property. She described her garden of word-carved ladies as follows, "All of my girls are whatever people want to see in them. Even I don't get locked into a vision because I like the process of them revealing themselves to me. To put a spin on a Michelangelo quote, "As the tree dwindles, so the woman is revealed." Catherine was a connoisseur of music and musical instruments especially her ukuleles. Always ready for an adventure and the chance to perform, she was asked to sound check the mic for a performer at the Outpost Restaurant and Bar in Butte Meadows. During the sound check and while playing an ukulele, she quickly engaged the audience as everyone sang, Act Naturally! A graduate of Paradise High School (1977) and CSU Chico, Catherine completed majors in English and Communication Studies with an emphasis in Visual Communication and graduate coursework in Organizational and Business Communication. Catherine's career choices aligned with her passions and values, offering opportunities to build on her creative mindset and engaging personality. A colleague lovingly and playfully described Catherine's positive energy and never-ending ideas as "a water hose coming at them full speed all the time." An accomplished author, illustrator, and artist, her Chico-themed t-shirts and cards produced under the Goggia Graphics label https://www.artpal.com/goggia gained national recognition in a trade journal, and designing for the internationally known artist, Laurel Burch was a highlight. Her other passions included Photography, Graphic Designer at Enloe Hospital; Organizational Development Training Specialist at Transfer Flow; Northern California Chapter Guide for Girl Camper; and as a Butte College Contract Education Department Certified Training Specialist. Catherine advanced local employees through Butte College, The Training Place. Her top five employee training programs: Supervisor, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Multi-tasking for Excellence, and authored "LIVE IT", Mastering Positive Attitude Habits (2016). In 2017, The Training Place launched Catherine's Webinar Wednesday's, a real-time virtual learning series for multiple employers which later she expanded during the 2020 pandemic for over 500 hundred employees. No matter what the topic, front line employees, managers, supervisors and CEO's shared professional career growth and life changing experiences. Catherine left us with a lasting imprint on our lives over the 23 years, as an inspiring teacher, trainer, coach, mentor, and confidant. May we all embrace her courageous wisdom to take action steps daily to be present and grow to "Work SMART. Live HAPPY"! www.worksmartlivehappy.com. Catherine produced the Relatable Leader (2017-2021) podcast and YouTube video series, www.relatableleader.com, and authored From Average Student to Academic Rock Star (2015). From her collection of cartoons in the book, Something for Everybody (1996) a selection was chosen by jury for inclusion in a show at Different Light bookstore in New York. She co-authored and illustrated with Lynn Reyman the children's book. When I Think About How I Feel (1989). Catherine's first published comic book (1987) with collaborator, John Eagle received loving praise from her mom, Carmen Goggia, "The book is, of course, brilliant. A pleasure even after several readings. It's in the genes, by all means." What a blessing to have learned many valuable lessons from Catherine. When in her presence, one felt as though they were the most important person in her world. Catherine moved with ease from serious to fun-filled conversations where her wit and humor would shine. A character in her own right, she simply loved being center stage and thrived in sharing laughter with others. Catherine had an inquisitive nature; so, this part is for fellow curiosity seekers she grew up in a family that adored animals, and Catherine's demise occurred when rushing into a burning shelter saving the endearing animals. Or possibly not. As you know, Cath was quite the captivating storyteller. As she recently declared to a close friend, "Always leave them laughing." In lieu of flowers and in honor of our one-of-a-kind granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, friend known as Tinker-Cathy-Cath-Aunt Cathy-Aunt Goggia-CG-Catherine, her devoted family and friends ask that in her name you do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone. Donations are appreciated for the Paradise Animal Shelter Helpers organization, PASH https://www.pashcares.org. A memorial scholarship fund has been set up in the Butte College Foundation Office to honor faculty and staff who have passed away https://www.butte.edu/foundation/giving.html.