Catherine Akright

Catherine Barrett Akright, 96, passed away on May 27, 2026, after leading a long and fulfilling life. She was born in Laramie, Wyoming on August 2, 1929, to Lawrence Barrett and Mary Dalles, one of their six children.

In 1953, Catherine was wed to James E. Akright in Riverton Wyoming. They were married for 60 years prior to his death in 2013.

Catherine earned her bachelor’s degree in education and her master’s degree in educational counseling from St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kansas. She went on to work as a grade school teacher for St. Mary Elementary in Independence, Missouri and a High School Counselor at Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

An accomplished artist, Catherine enjoyed quilt making, stain glass art, and tole painting. She was also a parishioner at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Williamsburg.

Catherine will be missed by her children, James M. Akright, Barbara Valentich, Mary Dougherty, Phyllis Holbrook, and John Akright, and her nine grandchildren.

Catherine will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her husband James at a later time.