Catherine Rhea Mattson, 82

Catherine Rhea Mattson was born on September 1, 1942 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, to Granville and Rhea Morris. In 1949, when Cathy was in second grade, the family moved to Skagway, Alaska. She graduated from the Skagway School, where she was a cheerleader and a can-can dancer.

After attending college, she moved to Juneau to work for the State of Alaska and met her beloved husband Morris. They married on December 21, 1964.

In 1973, Cathy and Morris purchased the Harbor Bar and Liquor Store in Petersburg, Alaska, and moved there with their two young sons, Brian and Brenden. The following year their daughter Cathy Jean was born.

Cathy was very active with her kids' sports, the Episcopal Church and the Sons of Norway, building a strong group of friends who knew she could be counted on to pitch in whenever needed. For years she hosted a popular weekly Ladies Night at the Harbor Bar.

Retirement included wintering in the warmth of Palm Springs and summers in Petersburg, where she enjoyed watching for boats, whales, eagles and deer from her home on shore of Frederick Sound. Cathy loved being an involved grandmother who delighted in cooking holiday meals and loved family gatherings.

Cathy and Morris left Petersburg for Palm Springs in 2022 to tackle her cancer diagnosis. She passed away on September 16, 2024, in Vancouver, Washington. A loyal friend and loving mother, she will be remembered for her sweet disposition, caring heart, and outstanding deviled eggs.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents and her son Brenden.

She is survived by her husband, Morris; sister, Jeannie; children, Brian (Jing) and Cathy Jean; cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Brett, Dasha, Lucy and Ryder; and many other family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Sons of Norway on June 27 in Petersburg from 1 – 4 p.m.