Obituary of Cate Alice McCaughan

Services will be held on Saturday, April 21st, for Cate McCaughan who passed away peacefully at her home on March 25th following a year long battle with cancer and shortly after the loss of her only son in January of this year. She was 72 years young.

 Cate was born in Wilmington Delaware to James and Alice McCaughan. She graduated from the University of Delaware and taught 2nd grade in Wilmington schools. She later moved to California and has lived  in Santa Cruz for the past 32 years. She enjoyed her career as an optometrist for the past 20 years and leaves behind many dear friends and collegues at the Eye Medical Group on Soquel ave in Santa Cruz. Cate loved being outdoors, camping, swimming and especially taking her dog Nikki for walks to the dog park. She enjoyed having friends over for barbeques, listening to music and loved having fun. She was an avid sports fan and often had a crowd over to watch the games. "GO WARRIORS"                            

Cate loved family and friends. Cate built up and maintained meaningful supportive relationships over the years from the east coast to the west. She was a delight to know, positive and encouraging and always looking at the bright side of things. She was a devot- ed friend and mother and loved by all. Her radiant positive energy inspired and influenced all those that had the pleasure of knowing her. Her openness and passion to connect with people was a gift she used every day. Her loved ones will continue to remember her for being as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

Cate gave birth to her only son James McCaughan at the Mount Madonna Center where her brother Sri Gyan James F. McCaughan lived and taught 5th grade. They lived out the rest of their days at their home on the west side of Santa Cruz. Cate was a devoted, loving mother determined to make a better life for her and her son, the joy of her life.

Cate was preceded in death by her parents James and Alice McCaughan, her brother Sri Gyan James F. McCaughan, her sister, Lois A. McCaughan, and her beloved son James McCaughan.  She leaves behind her sweet seven year old granddaughter Kailea Jarrett McCaughan, her best friend Marsha and many devoted friends and family.

A ceremony to wish Cate farewell on her new journey will take place on April 21, 2018 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel (1050 Cayuga Street in Santa Cruz) beginning at 2 p.m.  Please visit the Benito and Azzaro homepage to share your reflections and leave a condolence or prayer.