MONTROSE — Edith Cather, age 89, of Montrose, Colo., passed away at Montrose Memorial Hospital on July 1, 2008. Edith Cather was born in the Midwest and raised in New England but lived 63 years in Parkersburg, W.Va. before moving to Montrose in 2004. Edith graduated from Walpole High School in Walpole, N.H. and Wheelock College in Boston, Mass.
Edith married William M Parker, Jr. in 1941 and began an adventure leading to a career as a corporate executive, community leader, and mother of sons, John and James. Employed as a corporate secretary for Union Insulating Company, Edith broke ground as a woman working fulltime, eventually serving as President and Chairman of the Board until 1973. Her dedication to community led to positions as President of Altrusa International of Parkersburg, Chapter L PEO Sisterhood, and Parkersburg Community College. She was the first woman President and Chairman of the Board of the Greater Parkersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, a 20-year service member of the Wood County Chapter American Red Cross, and served on the Wood County Bank Board of Directors for 32 years.
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Raising her sons on a farm outside of Parkersburg, involved her in the loving restoration of a 200-plus-year-old farmhouse and nurtured her great love of the outdoors. Fishing, canoeing, hunting arrowheads and agates were passionate hobbies along with counted cross stitch, tennis and jewelry making.
Widowed in 1959, she married John S. Cather, Attorney-at-Law in 1969. For over 15 years, John and Edith made summer sojourns to beloved Gunnison and Lake City, Colo. to be near sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and of course, excellent fly fishing!
Since moving to Montrose in 2004, Edie has been a member of PEO Sisterhood, Chapter HL and attended the Montrose United Methodist Church.
The wildflowers and hummingbirds of Colorado have lost a wondering admirer; country and church, a skilled leader; her family, the deep love of a woman before her time.
Edith is preceded in death by husbands, Bill and John; and is survived by her brother, Donald MacNaughtan; sister, Mary Bonnet (W.Va.); sons, John and James Parker (Colo.); grandchildren, Katharine, Lewis, William, Margaret, Laura; great-grandchildren, Cloe Lain, John Henry, Oliver Francis, Hayden Leatherbee, and Anna Margaret.
A joyful celebration of Edie’s new life was held at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church under the direction of Leavitt Funeral Home at 2 p.m., July 14, 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to Parkersburg Community Foundation or charity of choice. The family hosted friends and family at Good Shepherd prior to the service.
Local arrangements were under the direction of Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors, 240-9870.
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