Catherine Lorraine Gleasure

Catherine Gleasure was born June 16, 1961, in San Bruno, California. She passed away and went home to Jesus on July 17, 2018, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was predeceased by her loving parents; father George Peter Gleasure, 1971, step-father Paul James Jarrett, 1977, and mother, Marjorie Jarrett, 1987. Catherine was a loving sister to Colleen OBrien (Michael), of Annapolis, Maryland, and loving aunt to four nieces; Morgan Schmincke (Kevin), Shannon Franklin (Cory), Kelsey and Mackenzie OBrien. Loving Half-sister to Nick Lockard (Raynel), Don Lockard (Penny) and loving aunt to their children and grandchildren.

Catherine was a 1979 graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School, Petaluma, California; Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), Santa Rosa, California; and Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California. She enjoyed working in the Healthcare Industry, at three Petaluma Valley Hospital locations, then excelled as a Product Developer for Health Plan of the Redwoods HMO in Santa Rosa.

Known for her terrific sense of humor, infectious laughter and smiling Irish eyes, Catherine knew how to liven up any get-together. Musically talented, she shined as an Alto Soprano at SRJC and performed at many weddings and memorial services. A true friend to children, she volunteered at Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Petaluma. A kind-hearted animal-lover, she delighted in animal-sitting for—at a minimum—horses cats, dogs and birds.

Some of her hobbies have included international and domestic travel, cooking, reading, visiting museums and art galleries. Catherine was especially fond of impressionist artists, as her mother was, and sister remains.

A passionate sky-diver she attained her goal of becoming certified by the United States Parachute Association as an Instructor and Jumpmaster for Accelerated Freefall sky-dives and was honored to participate in many invitational jumps. Catherine’s adventures included a high altitude jump from over 20,000 feet, as well as a jump into a raceway, another from a 1939 bi-plane, and a hot air balloon. She remained an enthusiastic proponent of the sport, even after she lost her eyesight from the affects of a rare hereditary disease known as Pseudoxanthoma elasticum, or “PXE,” which rendered her unable to skydive.

Catherine was fondly remembered at a gathering of precious, life-long friends from her drop zone community at SkyDance SkyDiving, Davis, California, who conducted a special memorial skydive in her honor on October 21, 2018.

Blue Skies, Catherine.