Catherine Lee Carlson Van Cott

Catherine Lee Carlson Van Cott, 70, of Raleigh, died Wednesday, August 10, 2016 following a brief illness and a long battle with cancer. Funeral service will be held 10:00am Friday, August 19, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home Millbrook Rd. Interment will follow in Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

A forty-two year resident of Raleigh, and previously of Westchester in Los Angeles, Catherine was the daughter of Ernest Hilmer Carlson, Jr. and Barbara June Brickel Carlson. She was a 1964 graduate of Westchester High School and graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 1971 with a degree in Art.

Catherine was a lifelong learner. She had a special appreciation for language, historical provenance, culture and quality craftsmanship.

She identified herself as a costume designer and an artist. She was most inspired when creating original dance designs with masterful handiwork. Her original career path in graphic design evolved into a passion for textile and fiber arts, where she excelled.

In recent years, she enjoyed genealogical research for her family and was always willing to volunteer assistance to anyone who asked for help with their own research.

Catherine was always giving of herself and her time. She volunteered for many years with the Pines of Carolina Girl Scouts, both as a troop leader and at the Girl Scout Council, where she loved inspiring girls to learn about the world around them.

She delighted in discovering the wildlife, butterflies and botanical surprises she found in her backyard garden.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Carl Clayton Van Cott of Raleigh, daughter, Christine Catherine Van Cott of Charlotte, and brother, Ronald Ernest Carlson of Fairview, TX.