Catherine Gayle Huntington

Catherine Gayle Huntington spent 67 years brightening the lives of everyone around her before leaving us early on the morning of August 17, 2019. After a six-month bout with cancer, Cathy passed away at her longtime home in Platteville. She will be best remembered for her warm smile, her hugs and for her caring nature that extended to nearly everyone she encountered.

Catherine Gayle Weeks was born on July 19, 1952 in Strong City, Kansas. She was the second child of Arthur and Ruth Weeks (Rogers), following her brother Keith and preceding sisters Patricia (Patty) and Tina. She spent her early years in eastern Kansas before the family moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1960. She graduated from Valley High School in Gilcrest in 1970. She was working as a waitress at the Del Camino Truck Stop in September 1972 when she met Robert D. Huntington II. Bob was less than a year removed from serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and the two quickly fell for one another. Cathy and Bob were married on January 27, 1974 and their first child, daughter Tiffany, was born the following year. The three of them moved to Platteville in 1979 before being joined by a second child, son Travis, in 1982. Cathy and Bob raised their family in the same Platteville home and lived out their life together over 40 years there.

Cathy's professional career included a number of employers, but her position was always that of a secretary “ and a good one at that. Early career stops included Morse Chain Company and Jolly Rancher candies before she spent 23 years at Pete Mirich Elementary in LaSalle. Students, parents, teachers and administrators alike felt more comfortable there thanks to her welcoming and helpful presence. She retired in 2013 and spent her final years enjoying life with Bob, spending quality time with her kids and grandkids, and embarking on a series of memorable trips.

Cathy, Bob and their friends traveled on a series of adventures to places she always dreamed of going. Their final trip together was a bucket list visit to Hawaii earlier this year. They returned just one week before her cancer was discovered. Cathy loved the outdoors, whether it was camping and fishing in the mountains, gardening in the backyard or sitting on her patio swing drinking coffee.

She was well known among friends and family for her delicious cooking and baking, from lasagna and spaghetti to scratch-made pies and biscuits. She also cooked plenty of meals over an open fire or in a Dutch oven while participating in the family hobby of living history demonstrations, or tipi living, as Bob would say. She enjoyed puzzles and games, different types of sewing, and watching home improvement shows to get ideas for her own renovation projects at her home. Most of all she loved people. She could strike up a conversation with just about anyone and treated strangers just like friends. She was genuine and kind, yet tough. You could never find a better hugger, a more loving mother, or a more doting Nana than Cathy. She made it her business to spoil her family for birthdays, Christmas and any other time she felt like it.

Cathy is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Tiffany Watson (Roger), son Travis (Jessica), grandchildren Tyler and Hannah Watson and Reid and Leah Huntington, sister Patty Malota and brother Keith Weeks. She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Ruth Weeks, and sister Tina Lee. Cathy's celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Platteville, with a reception to follow at the Platteville Community Center.