Catherine Herrity

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee Catherine Herrity on November 16, 2023, from congestive heart failure. She was 75.

Catherine was born in Longview, Washington, and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was the daughter of George and Joann (Lovdahl) Herrity.

Catherine received her undergraduate degree from Lake Erie College, followed by a master’s degree in library science from the University of Michigan. She came to Woods Hole with her first husband, Jay Tashiro, and worked at the Marine Biological Laboratory. She began her career at WHOI in 1974 as a summer employee working with A.L. Pierson. She left and came back in 1976 and worked as an editorial assistant with F. Webster. In 1980, she transferred and was reclassified to library tech III, with C. Winn. In 1984, she transferred to CRC as a research assistant in data processing with R. Backus, and in 1985, she transferred to PO. She left in 1987.

Catherine participated in several international scientific research cruises at a time when not many women did so. While working at WHOI, she obtained a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. After completing that endeavor, she specialized in real estate law and property conveyances until her retirement. While an active member of both the Falmouth and Woods Hole communities, she never tired of also finding the time to enrich the lives of friends from all walks of life by celebrating their achievements. Her enthusiasm, kindness, generosity, and unique sense of humor always brought people together for fun and happiness. She created the (maybe now infamous) annual Tacky Party, a favorite event in Woods Hole for many years. Her loss is deeply felt by those fortunate to know her. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

She is survived by her brother George Herrity and his wife Mary; her sister Marna Herrity and husband Michael Congdon; her sister Jean Herrity; stepson Benjamin Paterson and his wife Jordan; as well as many nieces and nephews and a goddaughter. She was predeceased by her husband David Paterson, who died in April 2023.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Information for this obituary is from the Falmouth Enterprise