Catherine Cathy Nora McCrea

Catherine "Cathy" McCrea August 30. 1921 – March 14, 2013 Catherine "Cathy" McCrea of Grand Junction, died March 14, at Mantey Heights Care Center of heart disease and Alzheimer's. She was 91. She was born August 30, 1921 to Troy A. Jeffreys and Nora Alice Ellis in Greenfield, MO. She spent her childhood in Arcola, MO and graduated high school in Greenfield, MO. After high school she attended El Camine College in Lawndale, CA where she received her teaching certificate. She had been employed as the first woman inspector for the Department of Weights and Measures in California. She retired as a school teacher. She had lived in Grand Junction for 16 years. She had also lived in Lake Isabella, CA, Santa Cruz, CA and various other places in southern California. Catherine married Robert C. McCrea on September 30, 1965 in Susanville, CA. He died December 27, 2004 in Grand Junction. She had previously been married to Cecil R. Miller. They had three children and later divorced. She had also been previously married to Oscar Helgren. He preceded her in death. She had been a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Kern River Valley Chapter #643 and was a Worthy Matron, also Grand Representitive to Scotland from California. Catherine enjoyed writing and wrote a book on the Ellis family genealogy. Cathy and Bob operated a ceramics shop at Lake Isabella for many years. She also made beautiful quilts. Cathy and Bob loved to travel. Thier favorite places were Hawaii (where they sometimes went three times a year), Australia and Scotland. She is survived by her three children, Joy (Russ) Nydam of Salome, AZ; Cecil "C.T." (Dian) Miller of of Sanora, CA, and Alice (Pete) Fregetto of Grand Junction; three step-children, Carolyn (George) Lindbloom, Larry (Jean) McCrea and Mickey (Sandra) McCrea, all of Mesa, AZ; a brother, Carl (Dorothy) Jeffreys of Arcola, MO; 25 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m., April 4 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in Grand Junction. Services will be officiated by Father James Plough. Memorial contributions my be made in Cathy's name to Kern Valley Eastern Star #643, c/o Phyllis Hix, P.O. Box 1940, Kernville, CA 91238.