Catherine (Cathy) Ann (Hoyt) White

On October 31, 2022, Catherine Ann (Cathy White), beloved wife to Dennis and mother to Jennifer and Jason, peacefully passed away at the age of 75 at her home in Camas, Washington. She fought tirelessly for almost a year, but ultimately lost a vicious battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). 
Dennis, Jennifer and Jason were at her side at the time of passing.

Cathy was born in Macomb, Illinois on April 2, 1947, to Joe Allen and Marilyn Francis Hoyt of Colchester. Cathy was the oldest sibling to Diana Jo (Hoyt) Hinton, Colchester and Michael Allen (Sherry) Hoyt, Colchester. 3 nieces: Carrie Booth, Kimberly (Aaron) Sistko and Jessica (Jeff) Branch. Cathy was raised on the Hoyt family farm in Colchester.

Friends since childhood, then sweethearts from middle school, Cathy and Dennis were married on March 1, 1968, in the Christian Church of Champaign, Illinois.Cathy and Dennis had two children, Jennifer (Eric Hanson) of Portland, Oregon, and Jason (Jenifer Hickey) of Crested Butte, Colorado. Her grandchildren were the true loves of her life. She was “Mimi” to her four most precious gifts.Ethan Wayne Hanson, Vivian Mary White, Jane Catherine Hanson, Jason (Jake) Andrew White,  

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents: Joe and Marilyn Hoyt, 1 nephew: Andrew Hoyt and 1 brother in law: Larry Hinton.

She graduated from Colchester High School in 1966. Besides being an outstanding student , she carried a full schedule of activities such as cheerleading, band, Candy Striper and Theta Ro. After graduation, Cathy attended Illinois Memorial Hospital Nursing Program in Springfield, IL, where she received her diploma as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1968. She received a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1977. In 1981, Cathy earned a Master of Science in Nursing of Children (MSN) from St. Louis University.

Cathy’s successful professional career spanned 52 years Her career began in Chicago Heights Hospital in 1968 as a pediatric nurse. She went on to establish a School Nursing Program in the Elmwood Park School District. She continued with additional pediatric experiences and served as Obstetrical Nurse at Jerseyville Community Hospital through 1977, then her focus turned to education. Cathy enjoyed teaching at both Lewis & Clark School of Nursing in Godfrey, Illinois and at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. Her next challenge was working for St Louis Children’s Hospital as a Nursing Education Specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 

One of her proudest professional achievements was the development of the Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Practitioner Program in collaboration with the Jewish Hospital of St Louis and the University of Missouri. It was the beginning of programming for hundreds of new and experienced neonatal nurses. 

The difficult position of Vice President of Nursing at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center brought her and Dennis from Illinois to Colorado. Cathy’s ability to educate and develop nurses and promote nursing practices was at the top of her profession. The final 18 years of her professional career were what she defined as her favorite and most successful. 

Cathy served the State of Colorado as a Public Health and Public-School Health Program Consultant and Liaison for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), where she remained until she retired in 2019.

The loss of Cathy to the Public Health and the Nursing Community,   as well as the positivity she brought to her fellow professionals, is irreplaceable. 

Cathy, you will be with us always. All the traditions you have created, the things and the places you loved will be carried on and adored by all of us forever.

Cremation rites have been accorded.  A celebration of life will be held in Colchester at a later date.  Jones Mortuary in Colchester is assisting the family locally.  To leave condolences and memories visit www.jonesmortuaryfh.com.

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