Catherine was born at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi to Victor and Helen Puccetti. The family moved to Palmdale, California, where Cathy started school, and later to a farm in Medford, Oregon, where Cathy and her sister Patricia (Pip) were active in 4-H showing rabbits and sheep. Cathy was later an adult 4-H leader.
She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Medford and attended Southern Oregon College, where she graduated with an A.S.N. For several years she worked as a registered nurse.
In 1975, she married William Patrick Gooley (Pat) and moved to San Diego where she continued nursing until health issues led to her retirement. In 1985, Pat’s Navy career took them to Virginia.
Cathy always loved horses, and she started GAMMA Farm (Gooley’s Arabians, Morgans, Mor-Abs), breeding and training horses. She was a life member of the American Morgan Horse Association. In 2005, more health issues required selling the horse farm, and they moved to Hampton, Virginia nearer Pat’s work at a shipyard contractor.
In 2026, her health deteriorated severely, and she was in hospitals and nursing homes most of the last six months of her life.
Cathy loved working with horses, had numerous dogs, cats and other animals she cared for well. She loved to sing, was in church choirs where she lived, was in an acapella women’s group, Daybreak Singers, for several years, and she frequently sang along with show tunes watching movies on television. She was an avid reader, enjoyed word find and crossword puzzles, and television game shows. She enjoyed cooking and dancing when her health was better.
Cathy is survived by her husband Pat, her younger sister Pip Donahoe’s family, and several cousins.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Tunnel To Towers Foundation or the charity of your choice is welcome.
After funeral Mass Wednesday, 7 October, prayers beginning at 9:30 AM, Funeral Mass at 10:00AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hampton, VA. The committal will take place on October 7th, at 1:00PM, at Parkwood-Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Hampton, VA.
