Birthdate: August 13, 1951, Washington, Iowa
Education: Heelan High School 1969, Sioux City, Iowa
B.A. in Art Education 1973, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Personal: Married James Harrington 1973
Son, Ryan 1977
Son, Corey 1980
Daughter, Molly 1983
Son, Casey 1989
Home: Lincoln, Nebraska
Professional: junior high art teacher and designer of DoDuds children’s clothing
As I write this tribute in 1995 to my twin sister, Cathy, I imagine her as represented by the "oyster shell" from the Anne Morrow Lindbergh book, "Gift from the Sea", a book she gave me. "It is an oyster, with small shells linging to its humped back. Sprawling and uneven, it has the irregularity of something growing." As a wife and other, she has always been a listener, a playmate, a disciplinarian and a friend to her family. Growth in various ways as been adaily activity.
I have been awed by her ability to switch gears so effortlessly.. from one child's needs to another, from family mediator to creative designer.
She has retained the hopefulness of our youth even during the challenge of her day-to-day adult living. One of her most rewarding professional legacies will be her success at educating a school system on the need for safe art room guidelines, including such needs as proper ventilation and use of non-toxic supplies. Students and staff are working in safer environment’s because of her.
Her personal legacy will be the wonderful children she has sculpted, as well as her own creative endeavors. Following is one of Cathy's most cherished poems:
Children are like kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you're both breathless... they crash... you add a longer tail... they hit the rooftop... you pluck them out of the spout... you patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they’ll fly!...
Finally they are airborne, but they need more string and you keep letting it out and with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with the joy because the kite becomes more distant and somehow you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the life line that bound you together and soar as it was meant to soar... free and alone.
Anonymous
Cathy is a durable and colorful thread in the tapestry of womanhood, and I am proud to be her sister. 1/30/95 |
