Catherine Irene Elting's Obituary
Catherine Irene (Costello) Elting was born in Vancouver, Washington, on January 7,
1937. She passed away in Oregon City, Oregon, on May 2, 2024. She was the third of
eight children and was raised in Vancouver, then Fife, Washington. Cathy was educated
at Providence Academy in Vancouver and the valedictorian at St. Leo Girls High
School, Class of 1954, in Tacoma, Washington. She received a Glee Club scholarship
to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where she met Jim Elting, and
their love story began. They exchanged their vows in Fife in the summer of 1956,
marking the beginning of a beautiful lifelong journey together. The couple moved to
Berkeley, where Jim finished his Engineering Degree. Over the next ten years, they
welcomed seven children: Mary Elting, Ann Schoblaske, Eileen Peacher, Susan
Humes, Tom Elting, Janet Banks, and Julie Wessel.
Jim and Cathy worked hard to establish Elting Incorporated, an excavating company,
that they grew into a successful business. During their 64 years of marriage, their faith,
sense of humor, and values sustained their love. Family, honesty, and hard work were
their top priorities. When Cathy wasn’t shuttling children and grandchildren to various
events, she was active with Catholic Daughters, Meals on Wheels, and many other
volunteer activities. Cathy worked as a bookkeeper at Elting Incorporated, where she
was responsible for figuring quarterly taxes. The Clackamas County Election Office also
recognized her value in receiving and counting ballots. Cathy also worked as an
ombudsman for hospitalized people, a position ideally suited for her empathy and
patience.
Cathy’s grandchildren (14) and great-grandchildren (3 and counting) would describe
their grandparents as supportive, involved, and caring. Her life will be celebrated at St.
John the Apostle Catholic Church, 417 Washington Street, Oregon City, Oregon, on
May 16, 2024. A Rosary will be held at 10:30, followed by a mass at 11:00 and a
reception in the school cafeteria. Her burial will take place at St. John the Apostle
Catholic Cemetery.
Cathy is preceded in death by her husband, James Alton Elting. Three years after Jim’s
death, Cathy joins him in continuing their eternal love story. She is also preceded in
death by her daughter, Susan Elizabeth Humes, and two siblings, Margaret Ann Kent
and Dorothy Monica Porter.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Clackamas County Meals on Wheels, Inc.,
or St. John the Apostle Catholic School.
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