Cathy Howard

COLUMBIA - Cathy Ann Howard suddenly passed away in her home on Saturday morning, December 19, 2020. She was 68 years old, born in Pepperell, Massachusetts on April 4, 1952, to her parents, Thomas Francis Mahony and Dorothy Cecilia O’Leary Mahony.

Cathy grew up in an old 17th century home outside of Pepperell. She loved animals and as a young girl, had a horse and was accustomed to all the functions of a stable and the work that went into it. She graduated from Groton High School in 1970, and went on to manage the bar, catering and other activities for the faculty lounge at Boston University. Her professionalism in the hospitality industry took her to Alaska and Seattle, Washington, where she worked as a hotel manager.

It was in Seattle that she met her husband, Larry Howard. They married in Kirkland, Washington on February 20, 1988, and would have celebrated 33 years together this coming February. Larry and Cathy Howard adventurously moved several times in their marriage, living several years each in Southern California, New Jersey, Northern California, and Maine. Finally, in 2013 they bought their current home in Columbia, South Carolina. There they determined to enjoy and live out their days.

Cathy was an artist and her favorite subject was Old English Sheepdogs. The breed is frisky, funny, and very intelligent, and Cathy painted them in all their alter egos. She wrote and illustrated a children’s series of books based on the lives of the “Wigglebottoms” and their interactions with “uprights” and T.H.E. Cat. She and her husband had the companionship of many Wigglebottoms over the years, including Walt Dizzy Wigglebottom, who told many fine stories and did sage opining on Facebook and Twitter.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Frankie Mahony and Artie Mahony. She is survived by her husband, Larry, and her many friends across the country who shared her passion for Old English Sheepdogs.

Interment and memorial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in Woodbridge Cemetery, Lexington, South Carolina. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.