Cathy Anne Olivieri

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for her life, we announce the passing of Cathy Anne Olivieri, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and devoted servant of Christ, who went home to be with the Lord on September 7th at the age of 71.

Cathy was a woman of quiet strength and boundless compassion. Her faith in Jesus was the foundation of everything she did—from the way she loved her family, to the way she served her community, to the way she welcomed every person with open arms and an open heart. She lived her faith out loud—joyfully, humbly, and consistently.

Cathy Olivieri was born on April 2nd, 1954 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the youngest child of Donald and Viola Nunn. She graduated from Lakeland High School in Rathdrum Idaho in 1972. Later that fall she married her high school sweetheart Roy Olivieri on September 30th, this month would have been their 53rd Anniversary. Together they built a life filled with laughter, love, and resilience. Theirs was a true love story—one that weathered the highs and lows of life with grace. As Roy would often say, “Sometimes life has its speed bumps,” but they always had each other. Their love was a steady, grounding force—an example to everyone who knew them.  They settled in the Columbia Basin in 1974 where she created a warm and welcoming home.

For more than 5 decades, she faithfully served her Connell community through the work of her hands, her heart, and her scissors. First established at the “Magic Mirror” in the 1970s. Later in the 80s Cathy moved to “Shear Heaven” and in the 90s she opened “The Cutting Edge” until “retiring” in 2022, while still taking care of her clients part time at “Mane Street” for the last few years.  Each salon she inhabited became far more than a place for a haircut. They were gathering places, safe havens, refuges where laughter, stories, and sometimes tears were shared. Cathy had the gift of gab, of encouragement, and of making every soul in her chair feel valued and seen. Her scissors connected her to generations—styling children’s first haircuts, wedding updos, and everything in between. Through every snip and smile, she quietly wove herself into the fabric of countless lives.

Cathy never met a stranger. She had a gift for making people feel like they belonged, even if they had just met her. You could hear her voice and her joyful, contagious laughter before she even entered the room. Her presence lit up every space she walked into, and her warmth lingered long after she left.

She was also a talented crafter and baker. Every handmade gift, every carefully baked treat was an expression of her love. Nothing was ever done halfway—because when she gave, she gave her whole heart. Whether it was a quilt, a loaf of banana bread, or a simple note, her hands created joy and comfort for countless people.

She served her church faithfully, poured into her community, and lived a life that truly embodied the words of Christ: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

While our family mourns the loss of Cathy here, we take comfort in knowing the heavenly reunion that took place as Cathy was welcomed. There to greet her were many loved ones along with her parents Donald and Viola, her brothers Jimmy and Roy, and son Justin, along with countless friends who are more like extended family.

She is survived by loving husband of 53 years, Roy; their children, Annette and Chad Wattenbarger (Sunnyside, WA) and Chad Olivieri and Ashton Easterday (Sunnyvale, CA); her grandchildren, Lillian, Reed, Marcail, Lonan, Leander and countless others who were blessed to call her family, friend, or sister in Christ. Her legacy of faith, love, and service lives on in each of them.

A celebration of her life will be held on September 30th at 2pm at Grace United Community Church, 104 S. Burke Avenue, in Connell Washington. In lieu of flowers, please consider these two-donation options honoring Cathy’s lifelong passion for helping others and spreading God’s love. 

Bring non-perishable food to the memorial for the Connell Food Bank. 

Contribute funds for sponsoring a child camper affected by cancer at Camp Journey Northwest which is held at the same location Cathy and Roy were married. Directly at the service or GoFundMe page here: https://gofund.me/b528e3dc7

Those wishing to sign Cathy’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cathy Anne Olivieri, please visit our floral store.