Catherine Louise Stanton passed away on June 17th of this year at her home in Imboden, Arkansas at the age of 77. Cathy was a second generation Italian American born in Santa Barbara, California on June 22nd, 1946. Cathy is preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, John David Stanton. They married on Feb. 17th, 1968. She has two surviving siblings, Elizabeth (Jimmie) Rivera of Santa Barbara California and Charles Varni of Oceano, California. Cathy also had the joy and luck of being the parent of three great kids. Dr. Mary Anderson (Chris) of Pineville, Arkansas, Dr. Jason Stanton (Stacey) of Pocahontas, Arkansas and Dr. John Stanton (Kristiana) of Jonesboro, Arkansas. (Yes, her kids wrote this obituary). Cathy was the best Nonna in the world (non biased) to the most amazing grandkids in the world (maybe a little biased) Madison Rose McClanahan and husband Connor, Zachary Stanton Shields, Savannah and Isabella Stanton, Ella Stanton, Jake and Caleb Anderson.
Cathy moved with her husband David Stanton to Imboden, Arkansas in 1978. There they opened an antique store which they ran out of their restored Victorian home for many years. Cathy was the Cubscout leader for her boys and was also one of the first woman Boyscout leaders in the country when issues arose with troop leadership while her sons were working on their Eagle Scout. Cathy was a business owner in Imboden where she was co-owner of a bridal and floral shop and was also an office manager/secretary for both her daughter’s medical practice and son’s chiropractic practice.
Many kids called her mom over the years. Many of these kids now are adults in their 50’s who have kids and grandkids of their own. Cathy instilled a strong sense of ownership and morals in the kids who came through her home. She was a strong advocate of woman empowerment and equality and many of those young men learned a healthy respect for woman and family.
There were many times that Cathy would come home from work to find half a dozen kids in her home, either playing role-playing games with the boys or watching television in the den. Cathy was always welcoming but also strict in the sense that things were done her way. In contrast her husband David was very much a softie. If Cathy felt a little more discipline was needed most of the time she would just grab a kid’s ear and give it a little twist to remind them who was boss.
Cathy and David loved to travel together over the years, going on too numerous to count buying and selling trips to Santa Barbara for their antique business. As years passed Cathy and David continued the tradition of going to Custer State Park in South Dakota and on to Gillette Wyoming to stay with lifelong friends. Traveling slowed down tremendously but last summer Cathy headed back home to California for a Mansfield family reunion where she was able to see siblings and cousins whom she had not seen in years. Cathy most enjoyed being at home surrounded by her family and friends, she had such a strong sense of duty to be there to take care of those in need. Cathy loved reading. She always packed a book in her purse when she was going anywhere. She made regular visits to her favorite place in town, the Imboden public library, because reading was her favorite pastime. I recall being at her home last year visiting and she told me, “You have to go. I am going to the library.” I was honestly taken aback because of her seriousness. I left. She went to the library.
Cathy was always there for her kids, either at school arguing with teachers about what was right, feeding someone that needed fed and/or giving love and attention to those kids who needed it. She was the best mom growing up and a better friend when her kids became adults. She always gave sound advice and was a Pillar of strength that remained true until the end. She embraced life, never looking back with regret. Why not use the good dishes now; what are we waiting for?
Cathy will be sorely missed.
Cathy Stanton will be cremated per her wishes and her ashes taken to California. No service will be conducted also per her wishes.
Her life was taken far too early by the terrible disease of Alzheimers dementia. It is our hope that research will continue to find ways to treat, defeat and prevent this disease. Mom fought the good fight. If you want to donate to the fight go to act.alz.org click donate in honor or memory of Cathy Stanton.
Donations can also be made to the Imboden Library.