Catherine (Cat) Linette Henry McKay, 57, passed away peacefully at her home in Lolo, Montana on February 24, 2018. Cat was born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 19, 1960 to Calvin Henry and Arlene Henry (Halfhide). She had suffered for years with health problems and had endured numerous procedures on her heart.
Cat grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota in the sixties and seventies which required a strong spirit to survive the terrible winters and snow (without video games, DVDs, or computers). Her Dad worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and because he helped out at the local zoo, the family home housed a variety of animals over the years such a black bear cub, raccoons, baby coyotes, and raptors for falconry. All the girls learned target shooting at the community center and went to matches around the state but Cat was the sharpshooter in the family. She won many medals and awards for her skills. Her Dad and she went hunting together and when living in Montana, she was lucky enough to draw a buffalo tag. The state officials and volunteers on that experience were amazed at her skill bringing down her buffalo.
Cat attended beauty school, working in Bismarck for a while then moved to Fargo. Her son Bob was born there in 1982. They eventually moved to Stevensville, Montana to join her parents. She dated but when she met Jerry McKay, she said he was the one. They married on June 4, 1988 in Stevensville, Montana. Their son Jacob was born in 1989 and Emily was born in 1992. Eventually they divorced and Cat went to work at the Poverella Center in Missoula as a house manager. She earned an associate degree in counseling from Missoula College of Technology. It was gratifying for her to work with the clients and she was kind and compassionate to them. She eventually had too many health concerns to work and bought a home in Lolo where she enjoyed her dog and chickens.
She was a talented artist and did many painting projects that she gifted to family members. She also took up making jewelry out of beads that were unique and special. The grandchildren called her “Bella.” Lily was her little pal and they were inseparable whether baking cookies or blowing bubbles. Liam just started talking recently and “Bella” was one of the last things he said to her. She was happy to see pictures of her newest grandbaby, Lucas, who looks so much like his Dad. The great joy in her life was being with the grandkids, hearing stories about them, and seeing the latest photos. Her memories will live on with all of them. Cat was also proud of her children and all their accomplishments.
Cat is survived by her three children: Bobby (Claire) McKay of Navarre, Florida; Jacob (Larissa) McKay of Stevensville, Montana; and Emily McKay of Stevensville, Montana. Her grandchildren are Lily and Liam McKay of Stevensville and Lucas McKay of Navarre. Her two sisters are Deborah (Don) Dann of Moses Lake, Washington and Jennifer Robinson of Louisville, Kentucky as well as nephews, Jeremy Henry and Aaron Martel of Moses Lake, Washington. Her mother, Arlene Halfhide, lives in Stevensville and her dad, Calvin Henry, preceded her in death.