Mary Catherine Thompson

Our beautiful Cathie, wife and mother, was born March 3, 1949 in Berkeley, California to Fred and Betty Valentich while Fred was attending UC Berkeley on a scholarship. After completing his studies, Fred and Betty and their young family returned to their hometown of Bakersfield. They would soon be joined by five additional daughters: Jan, Susan, Sally, Nanci and Patti. Cathie's early years were spent in a lively and loving home, that included spending time with her grandparents, making life-long friends in and around the neighborhood of Longfellow Elementary School, taking leisurely walks to Green Frog market with her sisters, and enjoying beach trips to the central coast with the family. As a high school graduate, Cathie's academic achievements were many: Honors Student, California Scholarship Federation Gold Seal winner, member of both the National Spanish Honors Society and the Representative Council, and finally recipient of the Senior Class English Award. The most far-reaching event occurred in the spring of her junior year. The details of how she met Joe vary depending on who you ask, but we know that one of their first kisses occurred on her 17th birthday under a streetlamp. A few weeks later Joe asked her to prom and in her words, "the rest was history"! After graduating from Foothill in 1967, she developed her love of life-long learning first at Bakersfield College, where Shirley Trembly became her favorite teacher, not just because of how well she taught Calculus, but because she did so with class, often wearing scarves and turtle pins. Cathie followed Joe to Fresno State University, where she was one of the few women who majored in Mathematics, as well as taking courses in German, computer programming, and American Literature. After her junior year, they were married on August 29, 1970. As a young married couple, they spent their day attending classes and evenings studying, where upon Joe couldn't help but marvel that due to her self-discipline Cathie could concentrate for hours. Cathie graduated from Fresno State University in 1971 with a B.A. in Mathematics, magna cum laude.

Her first job after college was as an administrative analyst and then a senior analyst for Fresno County. Cathie later learned that she was the first women to hold such a position in Fresno County. These early years of marriage were spent enjoying one another's company, driving to Avila Beach on Friday evening to catch the sunset and spend the weekend at the Dun Sailing motel, camping in an old army tent at Huntington Lake, and spending time with the growing families of their brothers and sisters. In 1977 they welcomed their first son Caleb and made the move to Grover Beach, where they spent a year before returning to Bakersfield. After a year, they moved back to Bakersfield, giving Cathie time to focus on family life, and in 1979 she and Joe welcomed Jared into the world. Life was busy with two small boys, only 22 months apart, but these years also included a focus on her Christian faith: participating in bible studies, attending Calvary Bible Church and becoming a consultant for Image Improvement, teaching women the basics of image enhancement and positive self-esteem.

In 1987, Cathie obtained her teaching credential and was hired as a math teacher at East Bakersfield High School. While at EBHS she not only developed a love for her students, but also for the comradery of the faculty. Cathie and Margaret DeArmond were among the first in California to institute the Interactive Mathematics Program, which allowed students to learn mathematical principles through open-ended problems. This venture not only produced excellent math students, but a life-long friendship with Margaret that Cathie treasured. After Caleb graduated from EBHS in 1995, Cathie transferred to Centennial High School where she watched Jared graduate from CHS in 1997. She was eventually promoted to Personnel Director for the Kern High School District, a position she held until her retirement in 2012. This was a rewarding and challenging role which commanded efficiency, required high expectations of both her and her coworkers and, above all, was perceived with a profound respect for the districts employees. When asked about her professional career, Cathie once replied, "I truly enjoyed all my jobs they fit into my life at the various stages. God was good to me as He provided them at the right times."

In 2009, Cathie was at the hospital to welcome her first grandchild, Luke Thompson, into the world. From that moment on, Cathie was known to her grandchildren as Grammy and she cherished her new role. In 2015, Grammy was blessed to welcome Lily Thompson into the world, and she was elated to have a granddaughter. Grammy loved her grandkids and enjoyed trips to the beach house, spending the night at Papa & Grammy's house, outings to CALM, dinners together, and building her special relationship with Luke and Lily. During Covid, Grammy used her exceptional teaching ability to help her grandchildren navigate distance learning and stay on track. As always, Cathie brought her qualities of love, kindness, dedication and faith to being Grammy for Luke and Lily.

Along with being a grandmother, in the years after retirement Cathie developed a love of traveling with Joe. They were fortunate to visit Europe several times, including trips to Italy, France and Spain, with good friends. Cathie's faith remained the cornerstone of her life in these years. Mornings at home were spent reading the Bible and praying with Joe. Her early risers women's bible study gave her a community she cherished and days volunteering at the Assistance League were a blessing to her. In August 2020 Joe and Cathie renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. From that kiss under the streetlamp in March 1966, Joe and Cathie spent almost 60 years together. Whatever the circumstances, their foundation in Jesus allowed their love for one another and the world around them to flourish.

Cathie's life on earth was squarely centered on the hope of eternal life secured by the free gift of grace through Jesus death and resurrection. We know she continues to love her husband Joe, sons Caleb, and Jared, daughter-in-law Kelly, grandchildren Luke and Lily, sisters and sisters-in-law and their husbands, as well as many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. We rejoice that she is now in the Lords presence and that we remain bound to her through the power of the Holy Spirit. The words of the Apostle Paul befit our beloved Cathie, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved a crown for me of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 13, at 9:45 a.m. at Laurelglen Bible Church at 2801 Ashe Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to City of Hope cancer hospital at (866) 683-4673 or giving@coh.org.