Cathy Russell

Cathy Lyne Caton Russell was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on December 5th 1957, to her adoring parents, Conrad Dean and Carmen Caton. She was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of the Cherokees.

Cathy was the center of her family’s universe. Her potent humanity and profound vivaciousness made her a truly special being. A loving and generous daughter, sister, wife, mama, mammy, and friend. Her vibrant spirit lit up every room she entered. Her boundless love, quick forgiveness, and intentional compassion cared for and carried all her people.. She cherished nature, music, food, spontaneous adventures, and above all else, spending time with her loved ones.

Cathy was a true student of life’s wonders and mysteries, full of curiosity, and always present to the soul in all things. She noticed the beauty of every moment. She held deep gratitude at the center of her being and awakened this grateful presence in others. Cathy inspired countless people to become the truest version of themselves by simply being herself. When Cathy was around, it was bound to be a good time. And you knew you’d always feel loved and appreciated, so you always wanted her near.

Perhaps the greatest joy of her life was her two babies, Cara and Calli, whom she raised alongside her best friend and love of her life, Bob. Cathy gave her daughters a luminous childhood, full of love and joy. She was there for every high, high and every low, low. Her warm and comforting presence made her a prominent mother figure for Cara and Calli’s friends, her nieces and nephews, her students, her grandbabies, her sons-in-love’s, and countless kindred spirits she met along her life's journey. Her light will shine on forever through all that she loved, and endless generations to come.

Cathy touched the hearts of hundreds of children lucky enough to be a “dolphina” in her classroom at First Presbyterian over the 25 years she spent as Ms. Cathy. She empowered every child she taught to stay curious, always give “a helping hand” to others, and never stop believing in magic. Her classroom was bright and colorful, and her kiddos enjoyed countless hours of dress-up and fancy candlelit lunches with Johnny Cash on the boombox. Ms. Cathy’s loving guidance nurtured every child out of their chrysalis and into the smiling butterfly of their full potential.

Cathy is two-stepping in the cosmos with her beloved father, Conrad Dean Caton; her grandmother, Iva Goodwin; and her parrot, JR, whom she adored with her whole heart.

Cathy’s limitless love lives on through her husband of 45 years, Bob; her daughters, Cara and Calli; sons-in-love, Alberto and Michael; her grandbabies that made her “Mammy”, Arlo, Leo, and Iona; her mother, Carmen; sisters, Linda, Deanna, and Glena; brothers, Ron, CM, Neil and Tom; nephews and nieces, Easton, Kayla, Hanna, Cole, Niles, Kai, Gracen, and Eli; stepmother, Terri; and many beloved great nephews, nieces, and kindred spirits.

Cathy, we will walk gently through the world and know your beauty, all the days of our lives. Our Mother Earth, our Mama Bird, our Beating Heart. We love you more.

Cathy’s family is hosting a private Celebration of Life on August 26th. If you knew Cathy and would like to attend, please reach out directly to the family.