Cathy Garza Gonzalez

Cathy was born April 30th, 1967 to Gregorio and Placida Gonzalez in Toppenish, Washington. Growing up in Wapato, Washington Cathy was blessed with amazing athletic abilities; basketball being her first passion. As a basketball standout for Wapato High School’s class of 1985, she received a full Division I athletic scholarship to Washington State University, playing for the Cougars from 1985 to 1988.

On May 19th, 1989 Cathy married her one true love, Willie Gonzalez. Their family grew as their first child, Aubrilyn Gonzalez was born in May 1990. In July 1993 they were blessed with their second child, Andrew Gonzalez making their family complete. They resided in Wapato where Cathy began what would become 23 years of service as an educator. Cathy first taught at Wapato High School for 8 years as a high school Spanish teacher and coached many athletes in volleyball, basketball, and softball. In 2002, Cathy became an Assistant Principal at Washington Middle School in the Yakima School District, later transferring in 2005 to Davis High School as an Assistant Principal. Over the next 12 years Cathy found what became her second family at Davis. This past August 2017, Cathy was transferred to Eisenhower High School where she would touch many lives in the 5 weeks she was there.

Everyone who knew Cathy loved her. She touched countless peoples’ lives and leaves behind a great legacy. She has rejoined her husband, Willie in heaven where they can together look over their children, family, and all those they knew and loved.

Cathy is survived by her children, Aubri (Bryant Vock) and Andrew; her parents Placida and Gregorio Gonzalez, her brothers, Jamie (Nelva) Gonzalez, Carlos (Elsa) Gonzalez, Greg (Amy) Gonzalez and sister Eva (Todd) Badgley and her brother-in-law Roger (Laura) Gonzales. Cathy loved each of her nieces and nephews and had a special relationship with each; Tommy (Wendy & Elena) Gonzalez, JJ (Alba) Gonzalez, Christy Gonzalez, Maddie Badgley, Natalie Badgley, Nicole Gonzalez, Lauren Gonzalez, Carson Badgley, Nathan Gonzalez, Maya Gonzalez, Matthew Gonzalez, Lawrence Gonzales and Laurie (Steve Hennessey & Pearse Popchock) Gonzales.

Cathy is preceded in death by her loving husband, Willie Gonzalez.

Cathy’s children and family would like to extend a special “Thank you” to all the staff at the University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Cottage in the Meadow Hospice facility.

A celebration of life will be held at the Stone Church in Yakima, WA on Friday, December 29th, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

To share a memory of Cathy, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.