Catherine Cecile Baker Van Skyhawk

Evening Viewing Traverse Mountain 8th Ward (2447 W Ravencrest Ln, Lehi, UT 84043)
Thursday Sep 4, 2025: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Viewing Prior Traverse Mountain 8th Ward (2447 W Ravencrest Ln, Lehi, UT 84043)
Friday Sep 5, 2025: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Funeral Service Traverse Mountain 8th Ward (2447 W Ravencrest Ln, Lehi, UT 84043)
Friday Sep 5, 2025: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cathy Van Skyhawk passed away Monday, August 25, 2025, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family after a short struggle with ALS. She was known as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Born on February 12, 1941, in Salt Lake City. She was the youngest child and only daughter of Henry Cecil Baker and Edna Catherine Hatch Baker. In her younger years, she resided in Salt Lake City then later moved to Logan when her father became the head basketball coach at Utah State University. She loved Logan and being part of the Aggie community. She graduated from South Cache High School in 1959 then attended the beloved Utah State University earning a degree in Elementary Education in 1963. She followed a rich tradition set by her family. All her brothers and her parents graduated from Utah State University. While there, she was an Aggiette. As her youngest, Tim, would attest she was a "hot babe". She was an Alpha Chi Omega as a legacy from her mother and continuing on with her daughters. The most important legacy was her fostering the importance of attending and graduating from Utah State University. She has children and grandchildren following in her footsteps. She became the USU Alumni President (1987-1989). She was on the USU Executive Board (1994-2000), Salt Lake County Aggies Leadership (1998) Alumni Hall of Honor (2003). Aggie blood ran through her veins.
She married the love of her life Norman John Van Skyhawk on August 10, 1962, in the Logan LDS Temple. They had just celebrated 63 years of marriage. They had a wonderful loving relationship. It has been fun to hear of their early courtship and marriage stories. It was sweet to see how Norm would steal kisses and hold her hand. He never wanted to leave her side. He was holding her hand as she passed. She was the love of his life. She had 6 wonderful children, saving the best for last, Timothy. Tim, who has Down Syndrome was a joy and blessing to her. She advocated for him in many ways and allowed him to blossom into an outgoing and loving person.
She exemplified service in many ways particularly in her faith as being a devoted disciple of our Savior Jesus Christ and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings from Relief Society President to playing the organ. Her favorite calling was being the ward librarian. She loved visiting everyone that came in, even if they really didn't need any supplies. She had quite the musical talent for the piano and loved teaching her granddaughter how to play. She fulfilled a service mission for the church in the Welfare Department. She loved going to the temple weekly and felt a calling for family history work. She was always busy doing something for someone else.
She loved to garden and mow the lawn. Her goal was to be able to mow her lawn until she was 85. She got really close. Even after her health was failing, we would catch her trying to mow. She loved her yard and due to her efforts, it became a beautiful oasis.
She is survived by her husband Norman Van Skyhawk and her six children. Brad (Rebecca) Van Skyhawk, Stacey (Brett) Lloyd, Wendy (Mark) Lloyd, Eric (Carmen) Van Skyhawk, Suzanna Van Skyhawk and Timothy Van Skyhawk and her brother Maurice Baker. She has 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Edna Baker, her brothers Richard and Drostan Baker and by her two dear grandchildren Annalee and Conner Van Skyhawk.
The family would like to thank all the generous neighbors, ward members and friends that help her during this difficult time. We want to especially thank Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Bromberg and the ALS team at the University of Utah Neuroscience Center and the caring nurses (Melanie & Brock) and staff at A Plus Healthcare at Home.
Cathy was a beautiful person inside and out and she will be truly missed. We are grateful for the plan of salvation in knowing we will all be reunited someday.
Viewing and funeral services will be held at the Traverse Mountain 8th Ward building on 2447 W. Ravencrest Lane Lehi, Utah 84043
Viewing and visitation on Thursday September 4,2025, from 6:30-8:30 pm and Friday September 5, 2025, from 10:00-10:45 am.
Funeral Services will be held Friday September 5, 2025, starting at 11:00 am
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: ALS United Rocky Mountain alsrockymountain.org/donate/