Cathy A. Andersen
September 24, 1960 – March 18, 2025
In the early morning of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Cathy Andersen’s dream came true, as she peacefully transitioned in Colorado Springs with a dear friend by her side.
Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, Cathy was the youngest of Ruth and Donald Andersen’s four children.
Growing up in Kalispell, Montana, 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 and co-conspirator, Lourell Tilton. Together, they embarked on fun and creative 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 Musical Education from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. After graduation, she shared her love of music with students in Ronan and Glasgow, Montana as their band director.
Cathy moved to Lincoln Park in downtown Chicago where she taught flute lessons, was a professional musician, and enjoyed the flexibility of working as a temp. She found humor in her ability to answer the interview question, “Do you know Word Perfect?” with a confident “Yes” because she learned it from reading a book. Her ever-curious mind and intellect offered Cathy the opportunity to continue learning with every experience.
St. Louis, Missouri was Cathy’s 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 courageous decision to make this move alone. Living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), she knew challenges would lie ahead and committed herself to this path.
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.
Cathy’s 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 purses and fashion items and yogurt lids into beautiful wall hangings.
As the years past, Cathy’s ME/CFS symptoms intensified and her ability to sustain relationships became more difficult. In her own words, “It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be in contact with anybody, it was that I couldn’t. Every molecule of my energy was used to take care of myself.”
Her desire to help others with this disabling, chronic, and complex condition became a mission as she vented, “No one heard me. So many around the world suffer! Medical professionals are not trained to see it or appreciate it in patients. Wouldn’t it be lovely if I could ease the suffering of others?”Per Cathy’s request, please take time to learn more about ME/CFS and/or donate to Open Medicine Foundation Research: https://www.omf.ngo/
Cathy’s insatiable desire to experience every moment to the fullest continued until her last breath. She inspired everyone who met her and they touched her heart deeply. Her musings brought a smile to those who were fortunate to hear them…
“I wonder where our sense of humor goes. It amuses us and that’s what we need right now.”
“Such little things we can give away – a smile, wink, open door. We’ve forgotten all of that.”
“When you feel the edge, it’s hard to learn to lean into it and not push against it.”
“How do you stop being curious?”
To those who supported Cathy, especially during her last three months, please know your presence and ability to truly see her was life changing. To all those who loved her for years, she treasured your friendship. Thank you all for being a part of “TEAM CATHY, WAHOO!!” and for sharing these thoughts …
“With Cathy, I had many wonderful adventures and experiences! I was able to participate in activities that I would have never experienced otherwise… St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, being a bleacher bum at Wrigley Stadium, box seats at a Cardinals game, Wynton Marsalis with the Chicago Symphony…too many wonderful adventures to list! Life will not be the same without her but I am so very thankful to have had such a dear friend in my life.” ~ Lourell
“Cathy blessed many friends, relatives, colleagues, and students during her life with her caring, artistry, creativity, personality, and humor.”
“My brief interaction with her was truly inspirational for me. She taught others how to truly live through the time of transition. I will not forget her!”
“There will be a sweet spot in my heart with her memory.”
“I will miss her but knowing she is at peace and rest soothes my heart. She blessed many during her life.”
“This is bittersweet. I know this is what she wanted but the world lost a beautiful person.”
“She was always so thoughtful about her place in the world, even in death. I really enjoyed her friendship.”
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 is 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; grandchildren, Madeleine (Maddy) MacGregor and Guinevere (Gwen) MacGregor.