Cathy Ann Griseto

Cathy was a strong and intelligent woman who was always willing to help her family, friends, and community. Cathy Ann Griseto, 70, of Fairbanks, Alaska, passed away in Thornton, Colorado on May 9, 2024 in the presence of her loving family.

She was born in Missouri in 1954 to Charles and Doris Lewis. The family relocated to Colorado, and Cathy was a good student and was academic, she received her diploma from Northglenn High School in 1972. Upon graduation, she continued her education at the University of Colorado, Boulder and studied Business and Accounting, she received her associate degree in 1974. Cathy pursued her passion and had a successful career as an accountant and was sought after for her expertise. Cathy raised 4 sons: Edward, Daniel, Preston, and Christopher. In 1989, Cathy and her husband, Al Griseto, relocated the family from Colorado to Fairbanks, Alaska. She worked as an accountant and paralegal while her boys were younger. While her sons were growing up, she delved into their activities and became a vital member of the community through volunteering. She began serving on the board as a bookkeeper at the Legion and provided low-cost accounting services to many small businesses in the community. Al and Cathy along with raising four sons, bred German Shepherds. Cathy was an animal lover, but partial to shepherds. Her household was very busy with talk of cars and sports while raising four sons and she was the only woman in the home. Cathy would break away from the bustle and enjoy her quiet time by reading. She was an avid reader and enjoyed fiction and non-fiction novels, time and life would get busy and she would put the books on the shelf and would not be able to pick them back up until her treatment in Colorado started in late 2023. Cathy worked for the veterinary program at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks for many years until she retired in 2020. Cathy was a caretaker, in that she cared for her ailing father until his passing all the while caring for her husband who was also terminal. Cathy suffered great loss when Al passed, as that was the great love of her life. She was a fighter and she persevered even when times were tough, Cathy needed to stay busy and found herself bartending and waitressing to pass the time, as well as fostering shepherds and finding them placement for their forever homes. Her last foster, Dutch, Cathy grew attached to the pup, but knew at her age she could not give him the exercise he needed and be his forever home. Cathy’s granddaughter sparked interest in adopting him and Cathy did not hesitate at the opportunity to fly her to Alaska for the adoption, this was one of Cathy’s final successes and she felt at ease knowing she was able to see Dutch when she came to visit her family in Colorado. Cathy had an enormous heart and soft spot for the underdog and a passion to help people, this led her to assist the at risk, disabled and elderly citizens within the community. She became a court visitor and advocate, allowing the less fortunate to have a voice and speak on their behalf. Due to unseen circumstances and much dismay, Cathy stepped away and officially retired in March 2024. She is preceded into death by her parents, her husband, her sister Becky, and her unborn daughter.

She is survived by her four sons: Edward Berger, Daniel (Anna) Berger, Preston Berger, and Christopher (Pamela) Berger, her grandchildren: Derek, Destiny, Kimberly, Aydan, David, Kylor, Abby, Ava, Scarlett, and Aldenie; her sister Debbie, and her best friend Sherry. All of these she loved and touched deeply. She was the matriarch of her family and will be forever.

To honor Cathy, a celebration of life will be held at RJ's on June 9, 2024 at 2pm.

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