Catherine Purfurst

Catherine Purfurst, a devoted wife and mother, a kind and caring friend, passed away peacefully at Brendan House in Kalispell on March 30, 2006.

Born Catherine Guilfoyle in Neola, Iowa, she later moved to Denver with her family, where she met and married her husband of 48 years, Kenneth Purfurst.

While raising her family, she also pursued interests in music and writing. A member of the Denver Area Music Teacher's Association, she taught piano for many years. As a freelancer, she wrote articles for the East Denver Journal; and she wrote poetry for personal pleasure, as well as for publication.

Catherine later graduated from Metropolitan State College with a degree in early childhood education. She was a teacher for Head Start until she retired in 1980.

She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth (1990).

She is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Baca of Kalispell, Karel Scott of Manhattan, and Barbara Pieper of Fullerton, Calif. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Cristina Duvall, Marcos Baca, Elise Hong, Daniel Baca and Hannah Hopper; and her great-grandchildren, Keegan, Andrew, Aiden and Christopher.

Catherine was dearly loved. All who have known her will miss her gentle, lively spirit.

A memorial Mass will be held in her honor at 11 a.m. April 7 at Church of the Risen Christ in Denver.