Yakima, WA - Catherine M. Colver died at Yakima Memorial Hospital early on Aug. 13 after a short illness. Her sons Mark and John took turns being with her. She was 82.

Cathy Miller was born Nov. 22, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo., to Jane Phelan Miller and Luman Glenn Miller. Her early years were spent in Belleville, Kan., where the weekly newspaper was published by the Miller families. In 1955, Cathy's family moved to The Dalles, Ore., when her father became publisher of the daily newspaper. She attended local schools, Providence Academy in Vancouver, Wash., and graduated from The Dalles High School.

Her father's newspaper career took the family to Palos Verdes, Calif., in 1959 and Cathy worked summers with her older sister, Pam, at Marineland's concession stand.

Cathy attended Gonzaga University when the family returned to Oregon. She graduated with an English degree in 1964 and went to work at Viewmaster-maker Sawyer's in the Portland area where she met Rick Colver. They married in 1966, moved to Yakima and raised three sons. Along the way, Cathy was involved with St. Joseph's Grade School, eventually helping to launch its CATCH! auction. She later was named to oversee Diocese of Yakima schools, particularly enjoying interaction with the Christian Brothers as they planned and then founded La Salle High School in Union Gap in 1998. She also was key in landing a $1.36 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the diocese's eight schools in 2001.

She and Rick divorced in 1994. Her mental health seemed to ebb and flow in recent years, but she enjoyed reading, keeping up with former co-workers at the diocese and cheering on the Zags. After dementia set in, she became a Peach Tree Retirement Center resident in 2023.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Pam, a longtime member of the Sinsinawa (Wis.) Dominicans. She is survived by two brothers: Jim, of Portland, and Tom, of Spokane; her sons Mark (Moya); John (Jen); Peter (Diane); and grandchildren Josh, Janie and Jaden.

A graveside service will be held at Catholic Calvary Cemetery, Yakima, on Friday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. Monsignor John Ecker will preside. Donations can be made to LaSalle High School, 3000 Lightning Way, Union Gap, WA 98903.