Catherine Marie Strasser-Roether

: 2/16/ 1961 – 1/1/2011

In all of Cathy’s life – mother , wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, foster parent, teacher, counselor – the two year she spent with VisionQuest were worth a lifetime to the kids and staff she touched.
Born February 1961 in San Luis Obispo, Cathy was bold and fearless, and unconditionally generous. Her simple abundance and adventurous spirit allowed her to bless the lives of her family, friends, and students.
She graduated from high school in 1979 and then joined the California Conservation Corps in Weott, CA. After working at VisionQuest she returned to San Luis, earned her bachelor’s degree in English and worked as a Behavior Specialist while completing her teacher’s credential in Special Education. Later, she taught children with special needs in King City, CA.
Cathy married her life partner of 25 years, Jim, on December 1, 1992 in Yosemite National Park. The life the built together included providing foster care for children with developmental disabilities, permanently expanding the family with Felicity and Casey Wiggins, and opening their home to countless lucky critters. Cathy’s unrelenting compassion made her a strong advocate of underdogs.
For two years, Cathy gave of herself and her life to the kids riding on the wagon train.
Harold Arant, a Chief Operation Officer at VQ remembers, “I worked with her the entire time she was on the wagon train and she was one heck of a staff for the girls. Cathy always had a great attitude no matter what, and always a smile. She had such a presence with the all the kids. She was a great staff and person and it was a pleasure to have known her.”
One of the shining moments of her VQ journey was riding point, on horseback, to lead the entire wagon train over the Golden Gate Bridge.
Cathy didn’t lose her battle against cancer. On New Year’s Day 2011, her body gave out but her spirit never did.
Survived by her husband, Jim Roether; children Felicity and Casey, two sisters, a brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and countless friends, Cathy is also survived by the staff and kids who rode the wagon train with her. Those moments continue to live on in us and them.
Ahoe!