Tonight a dear friend passed over. I knew Catherine since she was 13-14 years old, and I was 18- 19 or so. We actually met in the pool at the Rectory of all places. It is quite a story, but maybe another time…
She was lifelong best friends with my stepsister Rebecca Andrews. Her mother was a friend, and part of the San Francisco crowd including Alice Peterson… I knew back when, all related through The Prospero’s.
Catherine moved to Washington state, where she met her beloved Michael. Between them they raised many children, their own, their foster kids, all who knew her as their mother. She was the best of souls. She was strongly Christian, but not the dour type. She was joyous in her belief system, she practiced Agape, she loved everyone, without condition.
A telling story. Catherine came to visit us in Portland (she lived in Camas at that time). She was sitting with Rowan, (my son) and started talking to him about Noah and the Ark. Rowan looked at her and said, “I never heard this story!” Catherine arched her eyebrows at me and said. “You couldn’t even tell him this one?” I replied, “Our family roots are Northern European, we have our own myth cycles”. Regardless of our differences, I loved her dearly, for over 50 years.
She had a stroke on Saturday night, and couldn’t reach her phone or get off the floor. Reaching her phone on Sunday morning, called a neighbor, who came, saw her, and called an ambulance. When she arrived at the hospital, she had a stroke in the other hemisphere of her brain. The strokes continued until today, until her death from what I understand.
I am sad she is gone, but happy that she did not end up in a facility, disabled. It would not of been her way.
We all pass through 2 doors; Birth & Death. What we do in between is of utmost importance. Catherine lived a beautiful life. She helped many, she loved fiercely, and she gave shelter and guidance to so many children. I celebrate her life.
You will be missed Catherine. Be at peace. Her beloved Michael passed a few years ago. I hope they are together again.
G