Cathleene (Cathie) Jeanne May

Cathie May, age 80, a resident of Garfield, Washington passed away on May 10, 2023, at her home in Garfield surrounded by her family. Cathie was diagnosed with neuroendocrine small cell lung cancer in October of 2022.

Cathie was born on April 15, 1943, in Moscow, Idaho, to George "Bill" and Lillian (Andreassen) Shook. Cathie was the second of two children, her brother Bob Shook was six years her senior. The family lived in Bovill, Idaho, until 1955 and then moved to Farmington and Oakesdale, WA, for a few years before settling in Garfield, WA. She attended schools in Bovill, Oakesdale, and Garfield growing up. She married her high school love, Riley May on December 7, 1959. Riley served in the US Navy and was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Cathie spent some time there early in their marriage. She was thrilled to travel back to Hawaii with her two grand daughters Jessie and Alyssa in 2019 a trip she thoroughly enjoyed. Cathie and Riley eventually settled back in Garfield and welcomed their first daughter Lani in 1963. A second daughter Dawn completed their family in 1965. They later divorced but Cathie stayed in Garfield where she proved to be an incredibly independent, strong and resilient woman whom we all admired.

Cathie worked many jobs that she truly enjoyed. She once said she couldn't imagine having a job that didn't involve working with the public. She worked in several restaurants The Nook and Coffee Cup to name a few. In 1970 she went to work at the Drug Store in Garfield until 1979. She then went to work at State National Bank in Garfield, she often said she felt very lucky to have this job. She retired from the bank after 26 years. Her job at the bank was one of her proudest achievements. She also worked part time at Chers Cafe in Garfield while working at the bank full time. Cathie made many good life long friends and loved living in Garfield.

She was a dedicated single parent to her two girls after her and Riley split up. She never missed a school activity whether it be an athletic event, concert or play. She worked hard to support her two daughters both emotionally and financially and was the best role model a girl could have on being an involved mom, who gave selflessly. She taught us that if you were going to do a job you should always give 110% and it's just as easy to do the job right the first time than to go back and do it again. We learned early that after the house was clean on Saturday mornings we got to go to Moscow for lunch and some shopping. She had quite the job raising two teenage daughters by herself.

In her earlier years she enjoyed going dancing with her long time companion Dick Kriebel, taking trips, and going to the mountains to pick huckleberries. She enjoyed refinishing wood furniture, going to auctions with her best friend Cheri Curtis, and taking trips to Reno with her daughter Dawn and her brother Bob Shook, who meant so much to her.

In her retirement years she enjoyed spending time with her family, watching her great grandkids play all of their sports and attending all of their extra activities. She had a love for classic cars, she also enjoyed endless hours of shopping, going on walks, spoiling her two puppies, watching the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team, and her family's tradition of a Bovill picnic was always a highlight of the year for her. Cathie was very dedicated to her family. Her heart and home were always open for them anytime they needed. She always had time to lend a listening ear. Countless hours were spent at "Gramma Hotdogg's" house drinking coffee, playing cards, eating popsicles, and visiting. She always insisted that she make us lunch and that an extra cookie never hurt anyone! She will always be remembered as the Grandma who never said no to anything, filled our bellies with all of the treats our hearts desired and our lives with endless love.

Cathie was strong willed and a hard worker. She had more energy and determination than all of us combined! She taught us so much about work ethic, to be smarter than what you're working with, and that it's OK to have your own opinions. But more than anything she taught us what unconditional love truly is. She was such a rock to our family and we will miss her so much.

Survivors include her daughter Lani Gumm (Chris) Liberty Lake, WA, daughter Dawn Hunt (Larry) Garfield, WA. Six grandchildren Jessie Honcoop (Justin), Ryan Kriebel (Ashley), and Alyssa Parkins (Jesse) all of Garfield, WA. Tyler Gumm Myrtle Beach, SC, Tanner Gumm and Kelsey Gumm, Liberty Lake, WA. Ten great-grandchildren Karson, Konnor, Kennadi Honcoop. Scout, Kash, Skylar Kriebel. Ellie, Ayla, Ilei, Huntleigh Parkins.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2023, with desserts provided for friends and family at the Garfield Park. 604 W Spokane Street, Garfield, WA, from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 pm

In lieu of flowers please donate in her honor to NW Cancer Foundation of Hope or your local Humane Society.

Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, WA is caring for the family. On line condolences may be left at http://www.kramercares.com