Cathy Jean Richards

Cathy Jean Richards passed away peacefully on October 5, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born

in Ft. Lewis, Washington to Gerald Ray Christenson and Corrine Cecelia Petrusha on January 16, 1953.

Most of Cathy’s younger years, you could find her in McKinleyville, California with her mom and dad,

brother Jerry, and Heidi her sister. Cathy’s favorite activities were riding her horse, BigEnough, and

sewing. They usually were attending weekend activities with the Arcata Fire Department, Bill and

JoAnn McKenzie family, or going to Trinity Lake to stay on the Houseboat. And if they were traveling,

they would be heading back to Libby, Montana where their parents were or to Seattle, Washington to

visit cousins.

Cathy attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Arcata for several years until they moved to

McKinleyville where she attended McKinleyville Elementary Schools. In high school Cathy was an

excellent student along with being a Cheerleader and Song Queen. She graduated from McKinleyville

High School in 1971 and then attended College of the Redwoods.

At Christ the King Parish, Cathy met her soul mate, Kenny Richards in catechism. They went together in

elementary school, high school and junior college. They were married at St. Mary’s Church in Arcata on

February 17, 1973 in a Nuptial Mass Ceremony. They were together in marriage for 50 and one half

years. They had three boys with her first son Bill and his wife Amy with four children Kalyn, Travis,

Chloe, and Gunner with one grandchild, Hudson. Her second son, John and his wife Madeline and two

children Talin and Wyatt. Thomas her third son and his wife Kellie and son Jaxon.

She worked while in high school at Ron’s Villa Pharmacy in McKinleyville, and moved on to Hooven and

Turner Excavation in the 70s. Later, she was hired at the Northern Humboldt Union High School District

for twenty-seven years as an Account Technician and back up Payroll Technician and then retired.

Over the last fifty years, Cathy spent time in Willow Creek, CA or at Trinity Lake on the Houseboat, Snow

Skiing, or riding her horse-Dani with Nancy Bettendorf and JoAnn Ricci. Cathy absolutely loved riding and

being with her horse. Cathy was known by her many friends. Her friend Rachel Barnett has been a

cornerstone for her through the years. Cathy was a great role model as a parent and her love that she

had for her grandchildren, great grandchild, sons, husband, brother, sister, cousins, and friends was

second to none. Cathy would be known most as being a great mother. She treated everyone with love.

Cathy was always there for her kids and grandkids as well as transporting other neighborhood children

to baseball, football and golf matches. She loved spending time with her family and never passed up an

opportunity to do so. Cathy and Kenny were Grand Marshall’s of the Pony Express Days Parade and

received the McKinleyville Community Service Award in 2018.

Lastly, Cathy wanted to thank her Nephew, Doctor Sean Grammy for saving her life and advising her

every step of the way through difficult medical times.

Services for Cathy Richards will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata, CA on Saturday,

October 14. Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m., and Reception at 12:00 p.m.

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