Catherine “Katie” Ferguson

Catherine Crosby Ferguson died suddenly on Friday afternoon, May 11 , at Kootenai Memorial Hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho after suffering a stroke earlier that morning. She was 83 years old. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert L Ferguson of Richland, two daughters, Catherine Kolinski of Wheaton, IL, and Colleen Lowry of Portland, OR, three grandchildren, Ashley Joy Berkshire of Winfield, IL, Michael Joy of Oak Brook Terrace, IL and Keefe Lowry of Portland, OR, and two brothers, Howard Crosby of Walla Walla and Edward Crosby of Spokane.

Katie was born on May 18, 1934, one of two twin girls born that day to Edward J “Ted” Crosby and Hazel Crosby. Her godfather was Ted’s brother and her uncle, singer Bing Crosby. Her twin sister, Helen Dolores (always known as Dixie) was a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names for over 50 years when she died in 2007.Katie attended Holy Names Academy in Spokane and graduated from Holy Names College. Katie and Bob Ferguson were married in Spokane in 1956, and during their many years together lived in various places around the country, including New Mexico, Washington DC, Downers Grove, IL, Spokane, Lake Oswego, OR, and of course here in the Tri Cities for the majority of their 62 years together.

Katie was a renowned and beloved educator for over 43 years. She taught at Christ the King Elementary School to generations of students, all of whom still remember their “linking verbs” and certainly know the definition of a predicate nominative. She was also the first lay person to serve as Principal of Christ the King. In 2006, Katie was the recipient of the prestigious “Marie Rose Award” in recognition of her many years of commitment and dedication to Catholic education.

During their many years here in the Tri Cities, Katie and Bob Ferguson were very active in support of Christ the King Parish and the school, and they established scholarships for needy students attending Gonzaga University, Gonzaga Prep and Washington State University.

The wake for Katie will be held Friday, May 18^th from 4-7, at Einan’s at Sunset Funeral Home in Richland and the funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Church, Richland on Saturday, May 19^th at 1PM. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christ the King School where a program has been established in Katie’s honor.