Cathy Rydberg Obituary

Cathy Jean Rydberg tragically passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The medical team at St. John's Hospital worked valiantly to repair pulmonary embolisms, however her heart stopped and could not be revived. Her family is stunned and devasted by her unexpected departure but find great comfort in knowing God chooses when to call home His faithful servant. Her trust in God was unwavering and the family has peace in knowing that she is now reunited with her beloved Heavenly Father.
Cathy was a natural beauty with shining deep brown eyes, a movie-star smile, a quick wit and infectious laugh to match. She had a graceful and down-to-earth presence that warmed every room she walked into. Her physical beauty and magnetic charm were illuminated from even greater beauty within-a purity of spirit that shone with inescapable radiance. Indeed, for her family, she was the sun itself. And for Cathy, family was everything.
In her marriage to Pete Rydberg, she found her best friend, the one she laughed with and made dreams with; they shared a beautiful faith in action. Together they created a large and boisterous blended family who were her pride and joy. Cathy's home was a gravitational force pulling all who loved her to return again and again, gathering for weekly Thursday night dinners, every holiday and birthday, and most memorably for a week of Camp Grandma/Grandpa each summer. She welcomed all who entered and made them feel like family. It is impossible to name all of the many ways Cathy showed up for those she loved. Her capacity for love was truly inexhaustible.
A December baby, Cathy loved all things Christmas. She took her granddaughters to see the Nutcracker every year, each of them dressed in a beautiful new gown she had picked out for them. She delighted in stuffing full personalized stockings for each person who came to her house-all 13 of her grandchildren, her children and stepchildren and each of their partners. No one was left out. That her mantle could physically hold that bounty each year was a miracle; a true embodiment of the miracle of God's abundant and unconditional love.
Cathy was born to Harlow and Freida Ackerman in Enid, Oklahoma in 1952, the second of five children. Her childhood took her to Air Force bases all over the US and as far as Tripoli Libya, before settling in California and graduating from Hueneme High School. She was drawn to a career in healthcare from an early age, working first as a Candy Striper, then joining the Navy where she became a hospital WAVE. Stationed in Waukegan, Illinois she met Tom Fontenot, who she later married. She was briefly transferred back to Port Hueneme Base, where she was their first ever WAVE. After completing her military service, she had her first child, Andrea, and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where she completed a degree in Respiratory Therapy. Later she and Tom settled in Houston, Texas where her second child, Rachel, was born. Eventually, she longed to be closer to her parents and moved her young family back to Ventura County.
She worked as a Respiratory Therapist at St. John's Hospital for over 20 years, then at Apria Home Healthcare for another decade. After a brave battle with cancer from 2009-2011, she returned to work in hospitals doing infant hearing screenings, entering each room that held a newborn child and mother with graciousness and prayer. She held a deep reverence for the sanctity of life and was known throughout her career for above-and-beyond care and advocacy for her patients. Her family and friends were also the beneficiaries of her commitment to care as she tended to countless friends and family members in their time of illness. She cared for her parents in their aging years, and after the death of her father Harlow, invited her mother, Freida, to live with her and cared for her for over a decade.
Cathy's faith and dedication to the Catholic Church and her Santa Clara parish was a central part of her life. Even as a busy working mother, she volunteered her time to ministries to feed and clothe the poor and unhoused and to the Santa Clara Youth Group. Through her loving acceptance and wise counsel, she changed the lives of countless teens and young people forever. She led Sunday catechism classes for younger children and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Most recently, she led the Santa Clara Families of Nazareth chapter and spent every Thursday afternoon in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Assumption. She was consecrated to the Blessed Mother.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband Pete; children: Andrea, Rachel, Greg, Mary, Andy, Dan, Tim, and Jill; grandchildren: Etta, Audrey, Jack, Lily, Emma, Macy, William, Mia, Kingston, Dominic, Hailey, Bella, and Mason; siblings: Janet, Roger and Mary; and many nieces and nephews. She joins departed loved ones: her father Harlow; mother Freida; sister Jodi; and nephews Raymond and Luke.
Her family and friends will gather at Santa Clara Chapel Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. to say a rosary and share memories and eulogies. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Santa Clara Church at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 12; fittingly the feast day of The Most Holy Name of Mary. Mass will be followed by a brief graveside service at Santa Clara Cemetery and then return to Santa Clara Parish Center for a reception. The family invites all whose lives were touched by Cathy to join us in grieving this immeasurable loss and celebrating the beauty she brought to this world in her all too short time with us.
Pete wanted to get in the last word.
Thank you for your continued love and support. You are helping to heal our broken hearts by your prayers and love. Many people have asked if there is anything they could do for us. Well... as a matter of fact I thought of a few things needed.
In memory of Cathy and her family please. Forgive someone who does not deserve to be forgiven. You'll be surprised at who receives the most blessings from this. Be patient and loving with your family. Tell them you love them, give them a hug.
Not an easy thing to do, I know but you did ask if you could do anything. Saying you're sorry is not a death sentence... it's a survival skill!
Let God's grace give you the strength to choose love and healing. Hard, right? Well Scripture tells us we have divine help. "What is impossible for Human beings is very possible for God".
Thanks for asking.
Love,
Pete and Cathy
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