Rockport - Cathy Pingree passed away peacefully at her Rockport home, surrounded by her loved ones, on September 26, 2025, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer, during which she demonstrated tremendous grace, courage, and faith. Cathy was a New Year Baby, born on January 1, 1955, in Milo, Maine to her parents, Walter and Ivolene (Boobar) Clapp. Cathy grew up as the youngest of three children on the family farm in Maxfield, Maine along with her older siblings, brother Ken and sister Linda. It was on the farm that Cathy learned about faith, hard work, and developed a love of watching things grow. After graduating from Penobscot Valley High School in 1973, she went on to attend the University of Maine at Farmington to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Cathy graduated from UMF with a degree in special education after 4-years of hard work, which was highlighted by the time she worked as backstage security for Aerosmith when they played Dearborn Gymnasium on February 23, 1974. (She kept her ticket stub for over 50-years.) Cathy started her career as an educator in 1977 at Waldo County Regional Vocational Center in special education. It was there that she met R. Sewall Pingree, the heavy equipment operation and maintenance instructor. The two would go on to be married on April 14, 1979. In the fall of 1982, the pair moved to Phillips, Maine, where Cathy started teaching at the Pinkham House in Strong. After the birth of daughter Amanda and son Sterling, the family moved to Kingfield, Maine; a town where they put down roots for almost 40 years. As the children got older, Cathy returned to education, first as an Ed-tech at Kingfield Elementary School and then at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington where she developed the adaptive life skills program. Her dedication to her work and her love for the staff and students kept her there until her retirement in 2018, after 21 years at Mt. Blue. In 2022, Sewall and Cathy moved to Rockport, Maine. Cathy prioritized being with family, especially at camp on East Carry Pond. She enjoyed gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, and the Boston Red Sox. Cathy was a wonderful cook, learning from her mother, Ivolene. For this reason, Cathy and Sewall's house was the hub for all holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Cathy loved staying in touch and getting together with her school friends for monthly dinners in Farmington. The ocean was a special place for Cathy, especially Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, a place she frequently visited. Cathy also enjoyed traveling, whether near or far, she enjoyed visiting new places and experiencing all they had to offer. Cathy is survived by her loving husband, R. Sewall Pingree; daughter, Amanda Pingree; son, Sterling Pingree (Elizabeth Roboul); stepson, Regan Pingree; step-grandson, Brady Pingree; and brother, Ken Clapp. Cathy is predeceased by her mother and father, Walter and Ivolene Clapp; sister, Linda Stone; and mother-in-law, Christie V. Pingree. A funeral service will be held at Western Mountains Baptist Church in New Portland, Saturday October 11, 2025, at 10:00 am. Immediately after the service, the family will gather for a private graveside internment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cathy's name to the Webster Library, PO Box 518, Kingfield ME 04947. The family would like to thank the staff at Cancer Care at Pen Bay Hospital, especially Dr. Voisine and Nurse Marleah, and the staff at MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice, especially Nurse Chelsea, as well as family and friends for their love and support. Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott's Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.