Cathy was born in Richland, WA, August 5, 1951, to Leonard and Louise Black.  As a girl, she lived right across from what was then Spaulding Elementary School.  With the schoolyard next door, she spent hours playing on the huge slides and swings with her many neighborhood friends.  She loved to ride bikes, too, and would often ride with her friends down to Densow Drugs to buy candy or toys.  At other times, they would ride to the horse stables on Van Giesen to go horseback riding. She had many sleepovers with her friends from the neighborhood.  There were many hours of board games, croquet, and hanging out on the porch swing.  Her parents were loving and protective.

Cathy graduated from Columbia High School in 1970, then attended Columbia Basin College and Central Washington College (at that time), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education, finishing in three years.  She returned to teach for the Richland School District, beginning in 1973.  She spent her entire career at the District, teaching grades K-3 at Hanford Elementary, Marcus Whitman, and finally at William Wiley, when it opened in 1999.  She finally retired in 2009. Cathy was seen as a fantastic teacher by her students and colleagues.  She had a special ability to connect with students, especially those who struggled academically, and to teach those struggling students the reading skills they needed to continue on.  Many former students later contacted her to express their gratitude. 

Her own family began with her marriage to Mark Hutton on August 11, 1979.  Mark was a talented graphics artist at Battelle as well as an accomplished musician and marathon runner.  Their oldest daughter, Ketra, was born in 1983, followed by Whitney in 1985, and Victoria in 1987.  Victoria proved to have neurological disabilities, requiring extra attention and care.  Mark passed away in February, 1990. Eventually Victoria needed full-time medical care, and was moved to a children’s medical group home in Kennewick. 

In April, 1992, Cathy married Joe Montgomery. She and Joe had been neighbors growing up and connected again after he moved back to Richland. They had a loving marriage with many trips and vacations, family outings, and a growing circle of friends.  The next few years were busy but happy and rewarding, with Ketra and Whitney moving up through Hanford Middle and High Schools.

Cathy began a long-term battle with cancer when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, 2001.  The treatment included a full complement of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.  Sadly, Victoria’s health continued to decline at the same time and she passed away January, 19, 2002.

The next 14 years were mostly ones of happiness, career success, and lots of activities with family and friends.  Highlights included two weeks in St. Martin, trips to Europe, and travel around the U.S. 

Cancer reappeared unexpectedly in 2016.  Her oncology doctors were able to bring it under control, with hopes for a longer-term remission.  About two weeks ago, however, severe headaches led to a series of MRIs at Kadlec Hospital.  They showed the cancer was again active and had spread further.  Only a few days later, on April 2, 2018, Cathy lost her battle with cancer and died quietly at the Chaplaincy Hospice House.   

Cathy was an amazing mother to her daughters, a loving wife to her husband, and a wonderful friend to many people in the Tri-Cities and beyond.  She was very loving, tender-hearted, supportive, and fun-loving.  She loved to take the girls shopping for clothing, shoes, and prom dresses.  She welcomed their friends into our home and made deep and lasting relationships with them.  She deeply loved her sons-in-law Joel Swenson and Andrew Isaacson, and their families.  She was completely delighted with her grandchildren Olive and Owen Isaacson and regretted that she would not see them grow up.

She had many friends and treated each one with love, compassion, and acceptance.  She was very loyal to her friends and they knew she was their friend for life.  She always looked for the positive in people and stayed upbeat, even when faced with tragic situations.  She loved going shopping with her friends.  She was a good listener, full of compassion for what her friends had to say.  She made her friends feel special. She had a great sense of humor, with many jokes and lots of laughter.  She was very intelligent and knowledgeable about many subjects. She loved gardening and riding in the RV.  She had an inner strength that her friends and family relied on.  She had a strong, positive impact on many people throughout her life.  She was steadfast in her faith as a Christian, and regularly prayed for the safety and well-being of many others.   She was a member of Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church, where she had served in many leadership and educational roles.  She will be sorely missed.

Cathy is survived by her husband of 26 years Joe Montgomery, daughters Ketra Isaacson (Andrew), and Whitney Swenson (Joel), grandchildren Olive and Owen Isaacson, sister Lynn Winkler (Gerry), niece Kelsey Winkler, nephew David Winkler (Julie), sister-in-law Laurie Hutton, mother-in-law Eunice Hutton, cousin SueJane Brewer (Jim), and cousin Vernon Carrol (Tracy). She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Black; mother, Louise Black; daughter, Victoria Hutton; husband, Mark Hutton; and father-in-law, Phillip Hutton.

A graveside inurnment will be held at Sunset Gardens on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 2:00pm followed by a Celebration of Life at Events at Sunset, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland. Immediately following will be a reception at Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church, 325 Silver Meadows Dr., Richland. Donations in her name may be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, the Humane Society, or Compassion International.