Catherine V. 'Cathy' Acheson
MISSOULA - Catherine V. "Cathy" Acheson, 84, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Hilda's Room in Community Medical Center, surrounded by her family and embraced by their love.
Born on Sept. 4, 1919, to Alfred and Edith Griffith in Albia, Iowa, she lived and worked on the family farm along with two sisters and a brother: Mary, Ellen and David. A true saint, Catherine completed the eighth grade, then remained at home until age 19 to help care for her mother, who died in her arms. She then became a housekeeper for a family in the Chicago area.
She and her husband Donald M. Acheson met at the First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa, Iowa, and were married on May 24, 1947. Remaining in Ottumwa through the birth of their only daughter, Mary Ellen, in 1949, they relocated to Montana in October 1951.
Catherine began her career once they arrived in Missoula by becoming the owner and instructor at the Modern Beauty School in 1956. Cathy and her husband worked as partners at the Wilma Building until they retired in 1993. During this time, she earned and was awarded her GED.
Although a full-time worker, she also made time for other organizations as an active member and president of the Altrusa Club of Missoula, a 50-year member of Electa Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and as the worthy high priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem. For Missoula, Cathy worked at the Chamber of Commerce.
She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking and entertaining her many friends and her dear family. She had a great passion for birds and was famous for her baking accomplishments, most memorably her Swedish rye bread. Her enormous recipe collection gave her many ideas for baking cookies that she sent with love.
Cathy will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and by those she helped along the way. She will be remembered as one who always supported the underdog and assisted those less fortunate to help them succeed in their lives. She truly enjoyed seeing others within her profession achieve great things, and above all, had a generous spirit and a good heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her loving husband and partner of 57 years, Donald M. Acheson of Missoula; daughter Mary Ellen Denton and son-in-law Robert Denton of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; granddaughter Miri Disney-Faller and husband Travis Faller of Missoula; grandson William Disney and girlfriend Katie Hester of Coeur d'Alene; niece Diana Fairchild and husband Ray of Shellsburg, Iowa; nephews David Woofter and wife Sandra of Ottumwa, Paul Handy of Fremont, Iowa, and Jim O'Neil and wife Donna of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; as well as numerous friends and caring neighbors.
A celebration and sharing of Catherine's life will take place Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home. The family asks that those attending bring stories to share about Catherine.
Donations in Catherine's name may be made to the Altrusa Club of Missoula.
Sincere thanks from the family to Dr. Carla Davis and her staff and all those involved with Catherine's care.
MISSOULA - Catherine V. "Cathy" Acheson, 84, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Hilda's Room in Community Medical Center, surrounded by her family and embraced by their love.
Born on Sept. 4, 1919, to Alfred and Edith Griffith in Albia, Iowa, she lived and worked on the family farm along with two sisters and a brother: Mary, Ellen and David. A true saint, Catherine completed the eighth grade, then remained at home until age 19 to help care for her mother, who died in her arms. She then became a housekeeper for a family in the Chicago area.
She and her husband Donald M. Acheson met at the First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa, Iowa, and were married on May 24, 1947. Remaining in Ottumwa through the birth of their only daughter, Mary Ellen, in 1949, they relocated to Montana in October 1951.
Catherine began her career once they arrived in Missoula by becoming the owner and instructor at the Modern Beauty School in 1956. Cathy and her husband worked as partners at the Wilma Building until they retired in 1993. During this time, she earned and was awarded her GED.
Although a full-time worker, she also made time for other organizations as an active member and president of the Altrusa Club of Missoula, a 50-year member of Electa Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and as the worthy high priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem. For Missoula, Cathy worked at the Chamber of Commerce.
She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking and entertaining her many friends and her dear family. She had a great passion for birds and was famous for her baking accomplishments, most memorably her Swedish rye bread. Her enormous recipe collection gave her many ideas for baking cookies that she sent with love.
Cathy will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and by those she helped along the way. She will be remembered as one who always supported the underdog and assisted those less fortunate to help them succeed in their lives. She truly enjoyed seeing others within her profession achieve great things, and above all, had a generous spirit and a good heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her loving husband and partner of 57 years, Donald M. Acheson of Missoula; daughter Mary Ellen Denton and son-in-law Robert Denton of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; granddaughter Miri Disney-Faller and husband Travis Faller of Missoula; grandson William Disney and girlfriend Katie Hester of Coeur d'Alene; niece Diana Fairchild and husband Ray of Shellsburg, Iowa; nephews David Woofter and wife Sandra of Ottumwa, Paul Handy of Fremont, Iowa, and Jim O'Neil and wife Donna of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; as well as numerous friends and caring neighbors.
A celebration and sharing of Catherine's life will take place Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home. The family asks that those attending bring stories to share about Catherine.
Donations in Catherine's name may be made to the Altrusa Club of Missoula.
Sincere thanks from the family to Dr. Carla Davis and her staff and all those involved with Catherine's care.
Catherine V. 'Cathy' Acheson
MISSOULA - Catherine V. "Cathy" Acheson, 84, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Hilda's Room in Community Medical Center, surrounded by her family and embraced by their love.
Born on Sept. 4, 1919, to Alfred and Edith Griffith in Albia, Iowa, she lived and worked on the family farm along with two sisters and a brother: Mary, Ellen and David. A true saint, Catherine completed the eighth grade, then remained at home until age 19 to help care for her mother, who died in her arms. She then became a housekeeper for a family in the Chicago area.
She and her husband Donald M. Acheson met at the First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa, Iowa, and were married on May 24, 1947. Remaining in Ottumwa through the birth of their only daughter, Mary Ellen, in 1949, they relocated to Montana in October 1951.
Catherine began her career once they arrived in Missoula by becoming the owner and instructor at the Modern Beauty School in 1956. Cathy and her husband worked as partners at the Wilma Building until they retired in 1993. During this time, she earned and was awarded her GED.
Although a full-time worker, she also made time for other organizations as an active member and president of the Altrusa Club of Missoula, a 50-year member of Electa Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and as the worthy high priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem. For Missoula, Cathy worked at the Chamber of Commerce.
She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking and entertaining her many friends and her dear family. She had a great passion for birds and was famous for her baking accomplishments, most memorably her Swedish rye bread. Her enormous recipe collection gave her many ideas for baking cookies that she sent with love.
Cathy will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and by those she helped along the way. She will be remembered as one who always supported the underdog and assisted those less fortunate to help them succeed in their lives. She truly enjoyed seeing others within her profession achieve great things, and above all, had a generous spirit and a good heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her loving husband and partner of 57 years, Donald M. Acheson of Missoula; daughter Mary Ellen Denton and son-in-law Robert Denton of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; granddaughter Miri Disney-Faller and husband Travis Faller of Missoula; grandson William Disney and girlfriend Katie Hester of Coeur d'Alene; niece Diana Fairchild and husband Ray of Shellsburg, Iowa; nephews David Woofter and wife Sandra of Ottumwa, Paul Handy of Fremont, Iowa, and Jim O'Neil and wife Donna of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; as well as numerous friends and caring neighbors.
A celebration and sharing of Catherine's life will take place Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home. The family asks that those attending bring stories to share about Catherine.
Donations in Catherine's name may be made to the Altrusa Club of Missoula.
Sincere thanks from the family to Dr. Carla Davis and her staff and all those involved with Catherine's care.
MISSOULA - Catherine V. "Cathy" Acheson, 84, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Hilda's Room in Community Medical Center, surrounded by her family and embraced by their love.
Born on Sept. 4, 1919, to Alfred and Edith Griffith in Albia, Iowa, she lived and worked on the family farm along with two sisters and a brother: Mary, Ellen and David. A true saint, Catherine completed the eighth grade, then remained at home until age 19 to help care for her mother, who died in her arms. She then became a housekeeper for a family in the Chicago area.
She and her husband Donald M. Acheson met at the First United Methodist Church in Ottumwa, Iowa, and were married on May 24, 1947. Remaining in Ottumwa through the birth of their only daughter, Mary Ellen, in 1949, they relocated to Montana in October 1951.
Catherine began her career once they arrived in Missoula by becoming the owner and instructor at the Modern Beauty School in 1956. Cathy and her husband worked as partners at the Wilma Building until they retired in 1993. During this time, she earned and was awarded her GED.
Although a full-time worker, she also made time for other organizations as an active member and president of the Altrusa Club of Missoula, a 50-year member of Electa Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and as the worthy high priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem. For Missoula, Cathy worked at the Chamber of Commerce.
She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking and entertaining her many friends and her dear family. She had a great passion for birds and was famous for her baking accomplishments, most memorably her Swedish rye bread. Her enormous recipe collection gave her many ideas for baking cookies that she sent with love.
Cathy will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and by those she helped along the way. She will be remembered as one who always supported the underdog and assisted those less fortunate to help them succeed in their lives. She truly enjoyed seeing others within her profession achieve great things, and above all, had a generous spirit and a good heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her loving husband and partner of 57 years, Donald M. Acheson of Missoula; daughter Mary Ellen Denton and son-in-law Robert Denton of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; granddaughter Miri Disney-Faller and husband Travis Faller of Missoula; grandson William Disney and girlfriend Katie Hester of Coeur d'Alene; niece Diana Fairchild and husband Ray of Shellsburg, Iowa; nephews David Woofter and wife Sandra of Ottumwa, Paul Handy of Fremont, Iowa, and Jim O'Neil and wife Donna of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; as well as numerous friends and caring neighbors.
A celebration and sharing of Catherine's life will take place Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home. The family asks that those attending bring stories to share about Catherine.
Donations in Catherine's name may be made to the Altrusa Club of Missoula.
Sincere thanks from the family to Dr. Carla Davis and her staff and all those involved with Catherine's care.
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