Catherine Webster

Catherine Webster passed away on May 31, 2012, at her home in Linden, California. A lifelong resident of Linden, she was born August 7, 1944, and devoted her life to the arts, teaching, and land preservation. Catie's grandparents, C.A. Webster and his wife Marjorie, bought the family ranch in Linden in 1930, and the family continues to live there today. Catie was a third generation Californian, a partner in the Lewallen Land and Cattle Company, with her parents John and Alberta Lewallen, and her brother, Mark Lewallen. Catie received her Bachelor's degree in English from the University of the Pacific. She went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College, a Master's degree in English from California State University at Sacramento, and a MFA in Poetry, Sound, and Film from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She taught courses at U.O.P., Delta College, and Humphrey's College in Stockton. Catie published two books of her own poetry, and edited two anthologies of farm poetry. She received the Colorado Prize for Poetry, and her independent film, Crofter's Red Coat, was shown at the European Media Art Festival in Osnabruck, Germany. Catie leaves behind her two children, Sarah Marconi Campbell (Brian) and Matthew Marconi (Amanda), grandchildren Claire, Mason and Elise Campbell, and Bobby, Luke and Chloe Marconi, her brother, Mark Lewallen (Edwina), nephew Mark John Lewallen, niece Morley Lewallen Carroll (Robert), many cousins, and a team of loving caregivers. A memorial service celebrating Catie's life will be held on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at DeYoung Shoreline Chapel, 7676 Shoreline Drive, Stockton, California 95219. Committal will be private. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of San Joaquin County, 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204 or The Foothill Conservancy, P.O. Box 1255, Pine Grove, CA 95665.