Catherine Marie Mead Fallow

Catherine Marie Mead Fallow, 88, formerly of La Grande, died March 31 in Portland after many years of extended illness from the effects of a stroke suffered in 1994. A funeral Mass will begin at noon Friday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in La Grande.

A reception will immediately follow at the parish hall.

Catherine was born Nov. 18, 1921, to Lee and Emma Mead in The Dalles. Growing up, she lived in Boardman, Union Junction, Wallowa and Pendleton while her father, Lee, worked for the Union Pacific RR.

She graduated from Pendleton High School and Eastern Oregon College. She married Robert Lee Fallow in 1944, and they lived in Ohio and Texas until he was discharged. From then on,

La Grande was her home. They spent many memorable times at their condo in Newport.

Those who knew Cay say she was always the leader, the innovator and the entertainer, and she could entertain - the parties she and Bob put on were legendary. Guests at their home on the Oregon Trail above La Grande included everyone from Oregon governors, U.S. senators, Julie and Trish Nixon, to Bob and Cay's vast network of worldwide friends.

The family hosted tea parties, holiday galas, birthday parties, weddings, receptions and reunions for grandchildren and family. She loved to travel and Bob and Cay traveled in every continent except Antarctica.

Cay enjoyed her time with family, especially with her six grandchildren. She especially enjoyed teaching them about the arts, taking them to the theater, Museum of Art in Portland, playing the piano or looking through art books.

As for the grandchildren the favorite visits were the ones to the Oregon Coast when they went crabbing on Grandma and Grandpa's boat.

She was first a teacher in Portland and then for four years in La Grande. She was a business owner, political activist, civic leader, co-founder and a director of the Indian Festival of the Arts, chairperson of the La Grande Arts Council, head of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary and gift shop, president and member of P.E.O. Chapter DK and Our Lady of the Valley Alter Society.

She operated the Contemporary Shop for many years on Depot Street, the first record shop in

La Grande that included stereos and gifts. She worked as an interior decorator at times.

She was honored as a distinguished alumni of EOU and was instrumental in recruiting foreign students to EOU, especially from Guam. She was the first president of Dorion Hall and spoke at the dedication.

Cay is survived by three sons; Rob and Camille of West Linn, Greg and Anne of Orlando, Fla., and Peter and Marilyn of La Grande; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Cay was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2006; brother, Paul Mead; and sister, Helen Mead Littleton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Oregon University Foundation or P.E.O. Foundation Chapter DK Memorial Scholarship in care of Loveland Funeral Home 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850.

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