Obituary of Cathy Jean Kingham
Her Legacy… Cathy Jean Kingham was born and raised in Boston, MA, where she was trained in the classics at Girls’ Latin School. Just prior to commencing training to become a registered nurse at New England Baptist Hospital, she met Ron Kingham at a summer camp in upstate New York. Thus began a lifelong partnership that flourished for 48 years until her death in her home in Oroville, CA. Her nursing career reached its zenith during her 20-year stint on the psychiatric unit of Woodland Memorial Hospital. Ron and she were married in 1969, and from that moment she followed and supported him in his career path which led him to seminary and a 25-year tenure as the founding pastor of Woodland Bible Church in Woodland, CA. As much as she devoted her life to her career in nursing, it always took a back seat to her deepest passion which was to fulfill her calling as a woman of God in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Her life was radically transformed at age 16 when she first experienced the joy of knowing Jesus in a personal way. From that day until the moment of her last earthly breath, her life was driven by gratitude for what Jesus had done and was continually doing for her. She was marked by a passion to share the joy of her faith with whomever crossed her path. Her abiding intimacy with her Lord through prayer and Bible study was the spring from which her life of service flowed. Once Cathy and Ron began their family, she channeled her heart and best energies into creating a home that would nurture and develop the five children God gave her. Their home in Woodland became a launching pad for her four sons and one daughter. She intentionally raised her kids without television, so that meant that her home abounded with music, fun, games, friends, stories, jokes, prayers, chores, books, sibling bantering, and a lot of stinky laundry. As her children spread their wings and the nest emptied, she turned her focus to her growing tribe of grandchildren. Whenever she had opportunity, Noni poured love and wisdom into each one. She also began to increase her investment in younger women who needed an older woman to mentor and encourage them. Her later years were spent passionately teaching, mentoring, counseling, and discipling scores of women. When Ron finished his tenure as pastor-teacher of Woodland Bible Church, they moved to Oroville, CA. They purchased acreage in the foothills and developed it into a retreat-like venue to share with family and friends. Stonehaven became the happy place where she lived out her last days. Cancer entered her body in 2009, but it was never able to get the upper hand until the last two months of her life.
Her Family… Cathy is survived by her husband Ron, daughter Bethany McKinley (Mark) of San Clemente, son Nathan Kingham (Elisa) of Sacramento, son Jonathan Kingham (Heather) of Nashville, son Andrew Kingham (Jamie) of Seattle, son Peter Kingham (Collette) of Yosemite, brother John Campbell of South Boston, MA, brother David Campbell (Gail) of Oxford, MA, sister Linda Oldro of Plymouth, MA, sister Lisa Hoy (Mike) of Taunton, MA, brother Scott Campbell of Taunton, MA, and eight grandchildren.
Her Farewell Service… A celebration of Cathy’s life will be held Friday, October 6, at 11:00 AM at Oroville Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Avenue in Oroville, CA. Her earthly remains will be scattered by her children over her beloved Stonehaven. Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.