Lasting Memories

Catherine McCormack McGilvray
1934-April 19, 2018
Palo Alto, California

Born in 1934 in Anacortes, Washington, Catherine was the third of Francis and Alice McCormack's four children. Catherine's family moved to Salem, Oregon when her father started lumber operations in that state. After attending Catholic schools in Salem, Catherine went to Whitman College in Washington, and then transferred to Mills College in Oakland, from which she graduated in 1956. While at Mills, she met her husband, John McGilvray who was attending the University of California, and they were married in San Francisco in 1958. Catherine took her degree in education and taught for two years in the Oakland School District. After John served two years in the Army in North Carolina, they returned to San Francisco. In 1962, their daughter Victoria was born. They lived in Parkmerced until 1971, when IBM moved John to Palo Alto and they relocated to that city.

Catherine was an active volunteer, supporting both Mills College and the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. She was on the Alumni Board of Governors for Mills, and served as President of the Palo Alto Mills Club. She also volunteered in a variety of support activities for the Children's Hospital, including many years working at the Allied Arts Restaurant, which supports the hospital.

Catherine was beloved by her friends and those she worked with who enjoyed her intelligence, compassion, dignity and commitment to her family. She loved to travel, especially with three couples whom she and John regarded as extended family. Her favorite destinations were Italy, France, England, Hawaii and the Caribbean islands. Catherine also enjoyed spending time with her family and visiting with her sister and two brothers. She enjoyed reading, classical music, visiting museums, and attending the theater.

On Thursday, April 19, 2018, after a short but intense battle with a recurrence of breast cancer, Catherine finally rested in peace.

She is survived by her husband John, daughter Victoria, son-in-law Ralph Yamasaki, sister Marian Wilkie, and brothers Jerry McCormack and Michael McCormack, and many nieces and nephews.