Cathy A. Andersen, 64
Cathy A. Andersen, 64, Sept. 24,1960 — March 18, 2025.
Early Tuesday morning, March 18, 2025, Cathy Andersen’s dream came true, as she peacefully transitioned in Colorado Springs.
Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, Cathy was the youngest of Ruth and Donald Andersen’s four children.
Growing up in Kalispell, she was a 1978 graduate of Flathead High School.
During the summer of 1979, while working at their family restaurant, "Grumpa's Eatin' Barn," Cathy met her lifelong friend, Lourell Tilton. Together, they embarked on fun adventures that included forming CL Enterprises and penning the classic little ditties, "Dead Wire Brush" and "Cuddle Cakes."
In 1982, Cathy earned a BA in Music Education from Montana State University in Bozeman. After graduation, she shared her love of music with students in Ronan and Glasgow as their band director.
Cathy moved to Chicago where she taught flute lessons, was a professional musician, and enjoyed the flexibility of working as a temp.
St. Louis, Missouri was her next home, where she dedicated her life to being a wife, mother, private flute teacher, and professional musician.
Heeding the call to continue her personal growth in Colorado, Cathy’s warrior spirit supported her in the decision to make this move alone. Living with myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), she knew challenges would lie ahead.
Cathy’s natural ability to capture life’s special moments through a photographic lens opened the door for her to meet leaders in the Healing Touch Program community and offer her services for their conferences. Many friendships were seeded during these events which supported Cathy through her final months.
Her artistic creative talents expressed through music, quilting, sketching, photography, and gardening. She saw the world through a unique lens, enabling her to transform ordinary objects such as plastic bags into usable fashion items and yogurt lids into beautiful wall hangings.
Over the years, Cathy’s ME/CFS symptoms intensified and her desire to help others with this disabling, chronic, and complex condition became a mission. Please take time to learn about ME/CFS by visiting www.omf.ngo.com
Cathy’s insatiable desire to experience every moment to the fullest continued until her last breath. To those who loved and supported Cathy, thank you for being a part of "TEAM CATHY, WAHOO!"
One of Cathy’s favorite books was "The Giving Tree" written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. She loved the natural cycle of preparing the earth, planting seeds, watering, nurturing, weeding, celebrating growth, harvesting, sharing, and being grateful for the gifts and sustenance provided. In alignment with her beliefs, Cathy chose to secure the services of Recompose to continue giving.
Cathy was preceded in death by her father, Donald W. Andersen.
Cathy is survived by her daughter, Kelly (Lane) MacGregor; siblings, Carol (Andersen) Skaden, Chris Andersen, Curt Andersen; mother, Ruth Andersen; and grandchildren, Madeleine (Maddy) MacGregor and Guinevere (Gwen) MacGregor.
To leave messages of condolences visit the website www.dignitymemorial.com.
