Obituary of Catherine Gardner

Catherine Marie Gardner, 52 of Junction City, Ore. died January 4th, 2013 of sudden complications with Pneumonia.Cathy was born to Dan and Jean Gardner in Portland Ore., August 2nd 1960. She Graduated from Vale High School in 1978. In 1983 she graduated from Eastern Oregon College and her first job was later that same year teaching children on a Navajo Reservation in Az.She worked at a Coos County Detox Program and Woman's Crisis Center in Coos Bay Ore., which lead to her next job at Children's Services Division in 1988. That same year she met love of her life, Pamela Nelson, and in 1989 their daughter Alexandra Gardner-Nelson was born.In1997 the Gardner-Nelson family moved to Northampton Mass., where Cathy worked as an Editor for National Evaluation Systems. In 2009 she was forced into an early retirement due to medical reasons and the next year she and Pam moved to Junction City Ore., where she would reside until her death.Cathy was a gorgeous and brilliant woman. Her passion and skills with music, writing, and speech inspired all those close to her. Preceding her in death is Mother Vonna Jean (Stewart) Gardner.Cathy is survived by her Partner of 23 years, Pam of Junction City, Ore.; Daughter, Alexandra of NYC; Father, Dan of Vale Ore.; Brother, Ken & Sister-in-law Gail of Ft. Smith Ark., and many nieces and nephews who all love her dearly.A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm Thursday, January 10th at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 4110 River Road, Eugene, Ore.