Catherine Delores (Joyce) Orth

Catherine Delores (Joyce) Orth

January 29, 1932 – March 11, 2013

Catherine D. Orth passed away Monday, March 11, surrounded by family.

Catherine Delores Joyce was born January 29, 1932, to Patrick Henry and Catherine C. (Finn) Joyce in South Wilmington, Illinois.  She grew up on the family farm there with her siblings Mary Joyce (deceased), Helen Koerner (deceased), Rita Farina (of Michigan), Michael “Plow” Joyce (of Illinois), and Therese Phipps (of Washington).  She graduated from Gardner South Wilmington High School in 1950 and cherished growing up in a small town surrounded by family and friends.  This culture strongly contributed to Cathy’s “never meeting a stranger” attitude toward meeting new people.

Cathy met John C. Orth and they wed on December 26, 1955.  They had five children: Mary Joyce Moss (Richmond, VA), Kathleen Church (Mukilteo, WA), Margie Olsoy (Mukilteo, WA), Patty Stoddard (Mill Creek, WA), and Jim Orth (McMinnville, OR) raising them in Seattle, WA, Milwaukee, WI, Boston, MA, Alexandria, VA, and Butte, MT.

Cathy was delighted with the arrival of each of 15 grandchildren: Jennifer Houle, Jeffrey Moss, Jimmy Church, Christopher Church, Paul Church, Julia Church, Jonathan Church, Erik Olsoy, Karen Olsoy, Carl Stoddard, Katie Stoddard, Sam Stoddard, Sophia Stoddard, Bobby Orth, and Emma Orth – “each of them the best grandchild”.

Cathy enjoyed working in the Registrar’s Office at Montana Tech in Butte, Montana and later in various roles for the Eddie Bauer Corporation in the Seattle area.  Her greatest joys included family gatherings of any sort; preparing and offering mass quantities of food to one and all; reading, listening, and chatting about politics and news; tending to and directing John in looking after every plant in their yard; playing any game, particularly card games; each and every one of her children and grandchildren; and meeting new people.

Cathy is well remembered as an avid cookie baker.  Please honor her and her family by baking and sharing any cookies or try this favorite recipe below.

Giant Ginger Cookies

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups shortening (not butter or margarine)

2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

½ cup molasses

¾ cup coarse or granulated sugar

In a medium mixing bowl stir together the flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat shortening until softened.  Gradually add the 2 cups granulated sugar; beat until fluffy.  Add eggs and molasses; beat until combined.  Add half of flour mixture; beat until combined.Stir remaining flour in with a wooden spoon.

Using a ¼-cup ice cream scoop, shape dough into 2-inch balls.  Roll in the coarse or granulated sugar.  Place on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 ½ inches apart.

Bake in a 350° oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are light brown and puffed (do not overbake or cookies will not be chewy).  Let stand for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.  Cool.  Makes 25 four-inch cookies.

Cathy’s life will be celebrated in a memorial service at 11:00 am on Friday, March 22 at St. John Vianney Church, 12600 84^th Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034.  Remembrances or donations in Cathy’s name may be directed to Operation Sack Lunch at www.opsacklunch.org or to charity of your choice.