Cathe MacEachern Ganly

Mar. 8, 1957 ~ Nov. 15, 2015

After a courageous battle with cancer, Cathe Ganly passed away on Sunday November15, 2015. Cathe spent her entire life in Aptos. She loved her hometown and was very involved in the community. She made a point to be in the “World’s Shortest Parade in Aptos” every 4th of July!

Cathe’s compassion for others was evident. She and her horse, Nipper, worked with special needs children. From 1993 to 1997, every Christmas she would organize an event for children in need. She called this event “Dreams to Reality.” This was not any event, it included food, gifts, games, and Santa! People would come to the event and bring gifts, toys, and food. The recipient families would enjoy the day, meet new people and the kids would have a blast meeting Santa and playing games. Everyone, whether he or she was a recipient of gifts or a person donating, would leave feeling happy and cherished.

Cathe also helped Aptos Adopt-A-Family every year by helping to deliver gifts. They would get a big flatbed truck, pile it high with gifts, and deliver each and every one to the recipients! Giving to others was a passion of Cathe’s and she put 100% of her heart and soul into it. Once she invited a family in need to Christmas Eve dinner and another time she paid for a headstone for a young boy’s grave whose family could not afford it.

Cathe was a passionate and accomplished horseback rider/cowgirl. She taught all of her children how to ride starting from a very young age. In the words of George Strait, “How Bout’ Them Cowgirls”! She enjoyed any and all water sports, downhill skiing (she taught her kids and grandkids how to ski and swim), camping, traveling, gardening, and dancing. She loved a good party, good friends, and a cold Coors Light. She was the “Real Deal”!

For several years Cathe and her girlfriends rode in the Salinas Rodeo Parade dressed as the KTOM Kittens (Dance Hall Girls). They spent a lot of time preparing, including making sure they were dressed authentically. Naturally, they always won first place!

Cathe held several jobs throughout the years but her favorite was working at the BMW dealership in sales. As a perk she got to race fast cars on their test track. She really loved that, beating most of the guys she was up against!

Cathe is survived by her mother Vivian MacEachern, her husband Jay, daughter Danielle, and sons Ron, Mark, Buddy and Ryan. She is also survived by brother, Michael MacEachern, two daughters in law, four grandchildren, and others in her extended family.

A memorial service will be held on December 5, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club in Watsonville located at 557½ Lakeview Rd. in Watsonville. Please RSVP to Jay at 831-688-9295 or text to 831-331-8405. It is important that the Gun Club has an approximate headcount for Cathe’s service.