Catherine Schell Wickman passed away peacefully on Thursday, 14 March, 2024, in her sleep, at the age of 76.  She was surrounded by family, friends, music, and flowers.  She is survived by her husband (of 50+ years) Gary Edward Wickman and her children, Indra Catherine Newlight, Ian Surya Wickman, Kyra Maria Hurd, Shoshana Michelle Holst; eight grandchildren; sister, Rob Bird, Rob’s children, her brother, Jim, and Jack (the cat).

She was born in Detroit, grew up in Michigan, and summered on Put-In-Bay, Ohio, an island in Lake Erie.  She went to college in Michigan at Oakland University and spent a semester in Hong Kong, which would prove to be a cherished experience, revisited many times throughout her life.  In Boston, she lived in a commune at Roxbury, Fort Hill.  She traveled across the country with her partner at the time, Michael, in a converted school bus.  Through families she met at a birth class, she was introduced to a commune in the Skagit Valley.  She was invited there, and had her first child, Indra, and also met her husband, Gary.  The Skagit Valley was where she put down deep roots, built her family, developed lifelong friends, and lived most of her life.

Catherine was an artist, exploring many mediums including photography, painting, colored pencil, pastels, pottery and ceramic work throughout her life.  She had a compulsion to beautify her space, under any and all circumstances and was known for picking creative wall colors and spring bouquets.  She appreciated sights and sounds, smells and tastes from around the world and imbued her life with them.

She was an engaged and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was known for her warm hugs and non-judgmental attitude.  She had an unrestrained and authentic laugh that filled the room, and a raunchy sense of humor.  She was a lover of seasons and appreciated the gifts each season brought, always remarking on the first crocus of spring and the awesome beauty of a powerful storm.  She would always keep the windows open, all seasons, rain, shine, or snow.  She spent many afternoons with her friend Rubye on the porch, affectionately known as the “Porch Ladies”.   She also loved a good afternoon soirée with her women friends.

Catherine was a spiritual person, believing in a higher power, but not conforming to any formal religion.  She borrowed from Native American, Buddhist and other sources to build on her own blend of beliefs.  She was a member of a local women’s group for many years.  She was a licensed therapist and counseled children for around a decade in the Skagit Valley.  She was also a talented flutist in her youth and played hand drums in her midlife with a local band called River Talk.  She was an avid reader, loved playing cards, and a devout punster.

She leaves behind myriad artworks that brighten our lives, touches of her found throughout that bring her back to us in brief moments.  In the music she loved, we feel her.  We hope you will find her with you in the ways you do, small or large. Her spirit is still with us all.

We will gather at 3 PM on April 27th to celebrate her life.  Please contact Gary if you need the details.