Catherine “Katy” Sheridan Gould, 69, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009 in West Hills.

Katy was born in Santa Monica on July 1, 1940, to Bart and Josephine Pierce Sheridan. She grew up in Southern California and New York City where her father served in various editorial capacities for McCalls, Good Housekeeping and Medical Economics.

After graduating from Fairfax Hall in Virginia, she joined the Army. She married and had two children, Kelly and Richard. In the 1980s, her father and stepmother, Mildred, retired to Idyllwild where they were very active in the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation. On frequent visits, Katy fell in love with Idyllwild vowing to return when she retired.

Katy was a talented writer, editor, cook, crafter and artist. Her immense creativity was reflected in every personal pursuit, from running a catering business to editing brochures. Her design, layout and editorial work included the book “You Gotta Be Bad Before You Can Be Good: Talent Shows and Beyond” by Cliffie Stone with Joan Carol Stone, as well as developing drug program information for the Hilton Foundation and The Best Foundation.

She raised heirloom vegetables in Chatsworth before coming to Idyllwild in 2004.

Once she arrived in Idyllwild she quickly became involved in the Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation catering events, often with her friend June LaMantia.

She did clerical work for the Associates for a time where she organized the office, and her writing and editing talents contributed to making improvements in the quality of the newsletters and brochures.

She was also active in the Friends of the Idyllwild Library and worked with Roberta Corbin on the Idyllwild Master Chorale’s printed program for the Christmas concerts.

She was on the board of the summer Idyllwild Farmers Market, and she and Roberta had a craft booth at the market.

She organized various jazz festival events, including the Patron’s Dinner, and worked with Anne Finch on materials for several jazz festivals. She and Roberta had a booth at that event where she sold her beautiful handmade fabric flowers with handmade beads on hats. She also sold cards with her artwork.

She contributed her talents to the Associates’ auctions by donating handmade items and her catering skills for private events.

She succumbed to lung cancer after putting up a fierce battle for two-and-a-half years.

A celebration of Katy’s life and potluck is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. Please call Anne Finch at 659-6003 for details.

Katy is survived by her daughter, Kelly Maggio of West Hills; son Richard Gould of Los Angeles; grandchildren Vincenzo, Alexandra and Josephine Maggio; her brother, Brian, and his wife Wendy Sheridan of Cambria; her stepsister, Pat O’Connell and her husband John O’Connell; and sister-in-law Jackie Pruner.

Katy’s spirit, friendship, generosity, enthusiasm and wonderful cooking will be missed by her family and friends.

As a remembrance of Katy, please send donations in Katy’s name to the Associates of IAF Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 303, Idyllwild, CA 92549.