Cathy Rowland, CSJP-A (1942-2024)
Catherine Anne Rowland was born on May 14, 1942, in Port Angeles, Washington. She was the eldest of two daughters born to Bernard and Annette Malo. Bernard was a railroad conductor, and Annette was a registered nurse. Cathy graduated from the Queen of Angels School and Port Angeles High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and French from the University of Washington in 1963.
Soon after completing her degree, Cathy began a teaching career that spanned decades. She worked at Tyee Middle School in Bellevue, Washington, as well as at three Port Angeles schools: Queen of Angels School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and Roosevelt Middle School. At these schools, Cathy primarily taught language arts and geography. She also shared her love of travel with her students, and young son Christopher, by taking them on tours to different nations all over the world.
Towards the end of her career, Cathy became a Jewish Holocaust scholar. After finishing her program of study, she gave presentations at schools and organizations in Washington state. She further honed her speech and advocacy skills by partaking in a leadership institute sponsored by National Geographic in Washington D.C.
In retirement, Cathy, a woman of deep faith, dedicated more of her time to the development of her spiritual life. She volunteered in the Queen of Angels parish where she reacquainted herself with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace who had been some of her earliest teachers at the Queen of Angels School. Cathy credited the sisters with playing a significant role in shaping her values at an early age. Her desire to forge a closer relationship with them and the work they were prayerfully doing led her to become an associate in 2001. For many years, she was an active associate, remembered for her ready smile and “can do” attitude.
In 2016, Cathy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and moved from Port Angeles to an assisted living facility in Newcastle, Washington, near her only child, Chris, and his family. Two years later, she moved to an adult family home across the street from them. Even in her illness, Cathy held the sisters and associates close in her heart. Chris recounted how she loved getting cards from the community and treasured her associate membership.
Cathy Rowland died on Feb 22, 2024, with her beloved son Chris by her side. She is survived by Chris, his wife Ellen, and their three children, Katrina, Alex, and Thor. She is buried at Holyrood Cemetery, Shoreline, Washington.