Cathy Dale Smith's Obituary
On February 16, 2025, Cathy Dale Smith traded her earthly garden for a heavenly one. Born on August 20, 1956 in Portland, Oregon, Cathy lived a remarkable life that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. She made her home in Warren, Oregon, where she spent her final days surrounded by love and laughter—a testament to her lifelong ability to bring joy into the lives of others.
Cathy is survived by her beloved family. Her husband, Steve, her children Ernie, Tammy, and Sheri and her siblings Deborah, John, Colice, Jerry, and Jim Pense, who all shared a lifetime of memories with her. She is also survived by her beautiful grandchildren, Tyler and Dessa Cooper, Kali, Mason and Kendall Smith.
Cathy was a natural green thumb in all facets of life. She made everything grow—flowers, kids and dreams alike. If she wasn’t gardening and raising kids, she was baking “healthy treats” for everyone. She loved spoiling the grand kids with cookies and cakes that they often made with her. She could also be found cheering from the sidelines at all the games and events that she could make it to. Starting with Tammy’s volleyball tournaments, Ernies football and wrestling games, Sheri’s art shows, all the way to streamed grand kids sporting events “on the interstate.”
Her house was the home base for family gatherings. We often played cards, croquet, corn hole and dice and enjoyed generous, home cooked meals. Cathy also loved the coast and would spend as much time as she could close to the waves. She especially loved it when her family could join her to fly kites, crack crab legs and fry up some fresh caught fish. While she loved the coast the most, she also loved everything outdoors. The birds, the trees, the sun rays on rainy days, being out on the river in an inner tube or a boat, chasing waterfalls, cross country skiing and rolling down sand dunes. Her love for the outdoors included all creatures great and small, a love she fostered in her children and grandchildren. She would often stop on the side of the road to help lost dogs and heal wounded critters of all kinds. She beamed sun rays from the shade of her sun hat.
The burial ceremony will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, March 2nd, at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Scappoose, Oregon. After the burial ceremony we will gather at Yankton Community Fellowship to continue to celebrate her life and the love she shared with us all.
Cathy Dale Smith’s legacy will endure in her beloved family, in the laughter she inspired, and in the love she never ceased to give. The energy she shared made it feel like an endless spring. She is and always will be dearly missed.
We leave you with Cathy's favorite poem:
"One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. 'Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.’
He whispered, 'My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.'"
What’s your fondest memory of Cathy?
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Share a story where Cathy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cathy you’ll never forget.
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