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BORN
1942
DIED
2019
Cat Steele Obituary
Sept. 11, 1942- April 5, 2019
Santa Cruz
Catherine Steele Saxton (b. Sept. 11, 1942), —or Cat Heron Steele as she came to call herself, died at her home in Santa Cruz on April 4, 2019. A retired librarian, she was an active and generous participant in community life in Santa Cruz, an avid traveler, outrigger canoe paddler, bicyclist, environmentalist, and supporter of many social justice causes. For more information go to:
[email protected]
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Memories and Condolences
for Cat Steele
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
Penny Tower Kelly
May 4, 2022
Cathy and I were dear friends for most of our teenage years. We lived in the bay front town of Sausalito, CA, and we spent a lot of time sailing and rowing my 8 foot El Toro. Once, when we were out in the bay rowing, the tides changed and the wind picked up, sending us out toward the ocean. Fortunately, we were rescued by a large sailboat. We enjoyed the use of a south seas dugout canoe with an outrigger which belonged to a friend. That may be where Cathy developed her love of adventurous paddling. Cathy, as well as her family, were generous in sharing their adventures, and I accompanied them on many rock climbing weekends with the Sierra Club. Our main source of transportation at that time was our bikes, and Cathy and I often rode across the Golden Gate Bridge- to visit a favorite teacher, see a movie or have a sundae at Blums.
I regret loosing touch with her, though I did try to find her through her parents, Sandy and Gertrude. Though I never succeeded in meeting up with her again (I moved to the east coast) , she lives in my heart even now.
Beth Allen
January 2, 2021
I just found this and am sorrowed at the loss of such an amazing woman. Fluent in Spanish, she brought the bookmobile into migrant camps in the 1970's. I met her as an Ironman Triathlete on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1981. She was a proud member of the renegade librarian group known as the Bookleggers. I am so sorry I did not get to say goodbye.
Rita Torres
February 3, 2020
I just found out that Cat passed away last year. I knew her as a fellow librarian providing Spanish language library services. Cat was passionate about providing equity and access to library services for everyone. She will be missed by her colleagues in Bibliotecas Para La Gente.
James Dexter-Lee
January 1, 2020
I just found this and am really sorry that I did not keep in touch with Cat. I did not know her well. In fact only for a few days. I met her through the death of her father Alex Saxton who I wrote my thesis on. She was very kind and I enjoyed talking with her very much. We were going to try and get a memorial in the Bay Area together for her father but work and life got in the way for both of us. Presente, Cat!
May 13, 2019
My deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Cat. She was a very caring and unique person. And she will be missed.
May 10, 2019
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Pamela Williams
May 10, 2019
So sorry for your loss of your loved one. May you gain comfort from the words of Psalm 51:17 during this difficult time in your lives.
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