Cathy was born, November 30, 1946 in Astoria, Oregon to Don & Jean Wilson. Cathy grew up in the Gearhart – Seaside area where she attended Gearhart Elementary & then on to Seaside High School, where she graduated in 1965. Cathy went on to enroll at Clatsop Community College and attended classes there for one year.
Cathy married Ken Brown in June of 1966 and later divorced. Cathy remarried in August 1980 to Gary Kinder.
Cathy was employed for 12 years at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. 10 Years were spent at the previous downtown location in Astoria and 2 once it moved to its current location. Her favorite part about the job was seeing the enjoyment of all the kids who attended.
Cathy was athletic and enjoyed playing a variety of sports. A testament to her abilities was recognized when she received the trophy by receiving the trophy in her senior year at High School for Best Female Athlete. In that year she set a new record for the the long jump at Seaside. During one of the summer breaks Cathy played in a fast pitch baseball league for American Legion. t wasn’t long before talent scouts actively tried to recruit her to play professionally. While this was an incredible opportunity, her parents recognized that this would require traveling the country and conflicting with their daughter completing her studies, so they made the responsible decision of finish high school.
Another of Cathy’s talents was that of being a great clam digger which she passed on to both of her sons. Cathy departed this life on on April 11, 2018, in Portland, OR. She was 71.
Cathy is survived by her husband Gary Kinder of Astoria, her mother Jean Wilson of Seaside, 2 sons, Don Brown and Mark Brown (Stacy Brown, daughter in law) of Astoria, 3 grandsons; Austin Brown of Lynnwood, WA, Alex Brown of Astoria and Cody Brown of Tillamook.
She was preceded in death by her Father, Don Wilson of Seaside.
It was Cathy’s request to be cremated and to not have a formal funeral service. Hughes-Ransom Mortuary & Crematory in Astoria are in charge of the arrangements. Cathy asked that donations be made in her name to the Astoria Trolley. Details of how to do this can be found at the online memorial tribute set up for Cathy at www.hughes-ransom.com & linked to www.facebook.com/hughesransommortuary where you can also share a memory, upload media or sign the online guestbook.
