Starla Joy Cathcart was born on July 30, 1939, in Miami, Arizona, to William Gordon and Marcia Adams Cathcart. She was the youngest of four children, her older siblings being; William Lyle, Edward Leroy, and Una Fay. During her childhood, the family lived in Miami, Globe, Ashurst, Douglas, McNeal, and moved to Elfrida when Starla was in 2nd grade.
After graduating from Valley Union High School in Elfrida, Starla attended Eastern Arizona College and then transferred to Brigham Young University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree.
She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North German Mission until she was in a bicycle accident that injured her knee. She had to return to the states for knee surgery. After recovering, she completed her mission in the Gulf States Mission, serving in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. After her mission, Starla returned to Brigham Young University, where she earned a Masters Degree in Library Science in August 1970.
Starla was a librarian at the Safford City Library from 1972 – 1986, then worked at a school library in San Manuel. She moved to Phoenix to work in the Perryville Prison library until she retired in 2002. After retiring she moved to Globe, where she lived from 2002 to 2019.
Starla loved her family. She always remembered everyone’s birthdays. She took many road trips to Utah and Texas to visit family, and would stay with relatives or friends along the way. She took many pictures, which she organized into well-labeled photo albums that have now become family treasures.
Starla was a life-long devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a student of the scriptures and faithfully attended church services and served in callings. She enjoyed family history research and performing service in the temple.
In 2019, while visiting family for Christmas, she fell and broke her hip, and was never able to live independently after that. She passed away peacefully in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 22, 2024.
Starla was preceded in death by: her parents, Bill and Marcia Cathcart; her brothers, Lyle and Ed Cathcart; her sister, Unie Kuchar; and her nephew, Richard Douglas Cathcart.
She is survived by: her sisters-in-law, Frances Cathcart (Lyle) and Norma Cathcart (Ed); her brother-in-law, Marvin Kuchar (Unie); her 8 nephews and 10 nieces, along with numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Starla will be conducted Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., in the Central Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
