Catherine Wentz Mooney

Catherine Mooney

Heaven has received an angel on November 15, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 11, 1948, to Litha and Frank Wentz in Boise, Idaho. She attended parochial school at St Mary’s Catholic Church for eight years and decided to experience public school. Catherine graduated from High School and pursued her higher education at Boise College where she attended her freshman and sophomore years and finished her next two years at Boise State University, where she graduated with her teaching degree. During Catherine's collegiate years, she was very involved in scholastic activities. Catherine was a member of Esquire's and was an advisor for the Associated Woman Student Club. She was also a BSU Bronchette on Drill Team. The extracurricular activities she was involved in was indicative of what Catherine liked to do for most of her life. She wanted to be active, lead and learn. Catherine had a long career in teaching; she taught thirty-nine years in the Boise School District and looked forward to the opportunity to start each new classroom of students each year. She was motivated by the challenge to make a difference in their lives with the power of learning. Her students were a hugely important part of her life.

Catherine has always been very religious and a devout Christian. At the age of four, Catherine was playing in her sandbox in her backyard when her mother overheard her talking to herself and asked, “who were you talking to”? she replied “Jesus”. Litha, her mother, said, “ok, come inside for lunch when you are finished”. Catherine always had a special connection to Jesus and incorporated them throughout her daily life. Her love for music brought her again to the Church; she loved to sing and play the Old Hymnals on her piano and be a part of the choir at Church where she could sing to the Lord. Catherine’s Christianity has now taken her to another crossroads in her life where she met Keith on Christian Mingle.com and went to dinner, which turned into a love match. They married in 2011; she became a wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandmother. It was pure joy to spend time with the new grandbabies. Her personal goal was for the grandbabies' families to have them all Baptized at some point in their lives. She was genuinely instrumental and passionate about her quest to bring these babies to Jesus. One of the goals she had come together and was achieved with Andrew and Breanna Burgess. They had their baby Addyson baptized in October, which she got to attend and celebrate in what she considered one of her greatest moments.

When she met Keith, Catherine found a new world; she introduced him to the Arts with ballet, theater, and opera. He introduced her to the outdoors, camping, golfing, RZR riding, muscle cars, and street bikes (Harley's). They had something special and enjoyed one another's interests over the years. Their meeting is said to be divine intervention by many family members as both were looking for happiness and solidarity with God. Catherine was an accomplished vocalist and taught voice lessons. She performed at Carnegie Hall in New York; she recently had two voice students she was teaching when she learned she had cancer in May of this year. Her love for music and the arts were very much a part of her life; she loved the theater and took part in plays at local community Christmas programs and other events. Catherine was a proud long-time attendee and a ticket holder at the Morrison Center in Boise for many years. Catherine's generosity toward giving of herself and supporting many organizations, including religion, military, education, medical, and world peace. It's hard to believe all the time and effort Catherine put into studying various avenues to help others with volumes of books and material in her quest to please her Father in heaven.                                                                                            

Catherine is survived by her spouse Keith Mooney, Margret Birchem, Joanne  de Leon, Janet Goldgorin, Robin Glass, and nephew John Wentz. (Children) Andra and Ryan Morrison, Heather and Cory Mooney, Michelle, and Sean Burgess, 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.

Catherine is preceded in death by her parents Litha and Frank Wentz (senior), her brother Frank Wentz. Catherine, you will be missed by all who knew you, and we are not away forever; we are just in different places right now. You are with your Lord and Father now, and there will be no more diseases, anxiety, fear, or danger, just peace, and happiness. I love you, Catherine, and will always be thankful to have been a part of your life and will never forget what we had. God be with you in your mansion; he has prepared for you in heaven. Your loving Husband Keith, family, and friends.