Cathline "Cathy" Peterson, 60

It is with both heavy hearts and grateful spirits that we announce the passing of Cathline Rae  "Cathy" Peterson, 60, on July 4. Although our family had time to prepare for this day, no amount of preparation can truly ready your heart for the loss of someone so deeply loved. While we grieve her absence, we are comforted by the promise that she is now at peace, resting safely in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

To know Cathy was to know kindness. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcome. Whether you were family, a lifelong friend, or someone she had just met, she had a way of making you feel like you belonged. Her home, her table, and her heart always seemed to have room for one more. She believed everyone deserved to feel included, valued, and loved, and she quietly lived that belief every day. She found joy in caring for others through the simple things in life. She loved to cook and bake, filling her home with homemade meals, fresh breads, delicious desserts, and the warmth that comes from gathering around the table. Few things made her happier than sharing food with those she loved.  She also had a deep appreciation for God's creation. Whether foraging for berries, mushrooms, and other treasures the woods had to offer or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, she found peace outdoors and delighted in the simple blessings surrounding her.

Above all else, she loved her family. Her greatest joy was found in the people she loved most. Family gatherings, holidays, celebrations, and quiet moments together were what mattered most to her. She created a home where laughter was shared freely, traditions were treasured, and everyone knew they were loved. She taught us that kindness costs nothing, that everyone deserves a place at the table, and that love is often expressed through everyday acts of generosity, service, and compassion. Those lessons are woven into the lives of her children, grandchildren, family, and friends, and they remain part of the legacy she leaves behind. Though our hearts ache with her absence, we find peace in knowing that her faith has become sight. She is whole again, free from pain, and in the presence of the Lord she loved. While we will miss her deeply every day, we rejoice in the hope that this goodbye is only temporary, and that one day we will be together again.

Mom, thank you for teaching us how to love without conditions, to welcome everyone with open arms, and to find joy in the simple things. We will miss your laughter, your cooking, your gentle heart, and the way you made every family gathering feel like home. We carry your love with us, and we hope to honor your life by extending the same kindness and grace to others that you so freely gave to us. Until we meet again, we rejoice in knowing you are whole, at peace, and in the presence of Jesus.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 29, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pinkham School House. Family and friends are warmly invited to join us as we gather to celebrate her life, share memories, and give thanks for the countless ways she blessed those around her. In honor of one of her greatest joys—bringing people together around the table—the celebration will be a potluck meal. If you are able, please bring a favorite dish to share as we spend time together remembering the love, generosity, and hospitality that defined her life.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her memory by sharing a meal with someone you love, welcoming someone who may feel left out, lending a helping hand, or simply extending the same kindness and grace that she so freely gave throughout her life.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:23