Cathy Louise Armstrong
It is with great grief and gratitude that we share the news of Cathy Armstrong’s passing. After a courageous 4 year battle with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, she spent the final week of her life in her home, surrounded by the love of her family and community, with her husband Scott by her side.
Born and raised on the Mesa, Cathy grew up taking advantage of all the beauty and activity this city has to offer. From a young age she developed a love of taking her dog to the beach, biking around town, and swimming in any body of water available to her. She went on to swim competitively all throughout her school years, graduating from SBHS in 1978.
Kicking off a lifetime of countless adventures and global connections, Cathy saved up to travel around Europe after high school. A few years later she joined her brothers on a hang gliding trip in British Columbia, Canada, where she met the love of her life and future husband of 40 years. Their first project of many was converting Scott’s 1956 GMC city transit bus into their first home, which they eventually drove back down to sunny Santa Barbara. After 11 years of working hard and playing harder, they welcomed their daughter Torrie into the world in 1992. Cathy always created a warm and supportive environment for Torrie and her friends, from starting a home day care when she was an infant, to volunteering in the classrooms at Washington Elementary School, to running the student store at Santa Barbara High School, she offered acceptance and support to the entire community. Cathy’s warmth reached beyond the local community as well, as she hosted foreign exchange students for 19 years, welcoming them into the family and creating lifelong connections. She also managed their rental properties that housed local students, professionals, as well as Airbnb travelers.
Cathy radiated love, light, and wisdom that was felt by everyone who was fortunate enough to meet her, human and animals alike. She had a strong presence and an ability to encourage those around her to believe that anything is possible. She embodied that mentality, living her life to the fullest and bringing others up around her. We are forever grateful to have been touched by her perpetual light, as she will live on in the impacts that she’s made in all of our hearts.
In lieu of flowers we ask that you donate to those in need, as she continually supported Planned Parenthood and animal rescues throughout the course of her life. There will be a celebration in honor of Cathy’s life on Sunday afternoon, October 10th 2021, at the picnic area at the west end of Ledbetter Beach. There will also be a paddle out for Cathy as well.
We love you forever Torrie and Scott.
If you can make it please RSVP to SACC 805@gmail.com