Cathlene Marie Heck

Cathie Heck was born in St. Paul MN on March 16, 1946, but grew up in Sioux Falls SD. She was a very wonderful person. She was a wife to her husband, Rick, a mother to her son Ryan, a mother-in-law to Amanda, a sister to her sisters Debbie and Jane and a supportive friend to all.

Rick and Cathie married in Prescott on January 28, 1981. They had 45 years of wonderful bliss.

She also was something very special to Rick. Rick always said that God had given him 2 angels - a guardian angel like everyone has and a "special angel" - Cathie. She looked over him and showed him how to be a loving and caring person. Cathie always put the needs of others before herself.

She taught school for 30 years, mostly 2nd and 3rd grade. She did teach 6 years of junior college in Prescott AZ at Yavapai JC. Her kind and compassionate nature made her an outstanding instructor and mentor for her students.

Cathie loved nature. After retiring from teaching in 2004 she was a guide at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix teaching people about the plants and desert landscape of Arizona. On a personal level she liked hiking with her son and husband to many places and particularly enjoyed family treks to Pismo Beach California to experience the ocean and all its grandeur.

Cathie and Rick led a quite retirement together sharing each day and being the best of friends. Cathie developed Parkinson's disease 3 1/2 years ago and Parkinson's dementia. Cathie recently fell and later became immobile and proceeded into life' s final stage. She died peacefully at home in her sleep. She went to sleep Sunday night and on Monday Sept. 28 God took her to be with him in heaven.

Cathie will always be remembered as a kind, generous, loving "special angel".