Catherine Cornehl Hyslop

May 28, 1916 - May 04, 2017

Catherine Cornehl Hyslop Obituary Born May 28, 1916 in Bridgeport, Washington, Catherine Cornehl Hyslop passed away peacefully on May 4, 2017, at the age of 100, at Rockwood-South Hill, Spokane, Washington. Catherine attended Washington State College (now WSU) as a Home Economics major after graduating from high school at the top of her class. Her academic achievement qualified her for a scholarship and the ability to live rent-free in the dorms. She and her husband, Thomas Hyslop, met as students in college. They were married on April 12, 1938. While raising their four children in Spokane and operating the family farming business, the couple was very active in scouting, music, band mothers, PTA., and all of the various childrens activities. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, together, in 1998. Tom passed away in December of 2002 after a long and successful life. For more than 60 years and as life long Cougs, the two devoted much of their spare time supporting Washington State University. They endowed an annual fellowship for a graduate student in Crop and Soil Sciences, as well as rooting for Cougar victories. Catherine attended almost every WSU home football game well into her mid-90s. The two received the WSU Alumni Achievement Award together in 1990 for years of support and service to WSU. Catherine was very pleased to join other distinguished alumni on October 20, 2007 for the dedication of the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Hall of Honored Alumni and Friends. Catherine was a life long member of Alpha Gamma Delta, both at WSU and internationally. She served as National Panhellenic Delegate-International Grand Council of Alpha Gamma Delta, National Panhellenic Collegiate Adviser to Colleges of the Pacific Northwest, 3rd Grand Vice President-International Grand Council, and Province President of AGD. She was instrumental in the founding of AGD chapters both at the University of Idaho, and the University of Alberta, Canada. Catherine served as Spokane Chapter Alumna President, Spokane City Panhellenic President, and twice as President of the Alpha Gamma Delta House Corporation. Catherine joined the Board of The Hutton Settlement in 1966, and was an active lifetime member. She loved her nearly 50 years of service on the Board, and served three terms as Board President from 1971-73. With her organizational talent, vision and drive she forged a strong bridge between the Board and the Administrator working to better serve the needs of the children, and the Settlement, itself, in enumerable ways. She was deeply committed to the Settlements work of caring for children and providing them with the opportunities and skills to become productive and independent adults. Active in politics, Catherine served as Spokane County Republican State Committeewoman, as Republican Precinct Committeeman, and as Spokane County Office Manager for the Spellman for Governor Committee. Numerous other activities included a term as President-Spokane Council of Scout Mothers, Board of Trustees-Plymouth Congregational Church, member of the City of Spokane Charter Commission, Board of Trustees and President of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, and Board of Trustees-Kahana Sunset, Maui, Hawaii. The familys lake place, her home, playing bridge and, most of all, friends and family all added to her happiness. What a life, and what a Mom! She is survived by her four children, Mary Ann McClure (James D.), Thomas, Jr. (Vivian), Robert C. (Melodee), William D. (Deborah); seven grandchildren, Ron, Cathy Mae, Meredith, Jeff (Carolyn), Robbie, Kathleen, and Morgan. Five great-grandchildren complete her cycle of life and love. A Celebration of Life Service and Reception will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Rockwood-South Hill Community Center, 2105 S. Forest Estates Drive, Spokane. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to The Hutton Settlement.