By Judy Christie 

Cathy Parkhurst is a quiet woman who understands that the loss of a spouse is deeply personal and life changing.   

As surviving spouse liaison for MOAA’s Wyoming-Colorado Border Chapter, which is part of the Colorado Council of Chapters, she connects with new surviving spouses by telling stories of her own experiences. Parkhurst, who lost her husband years ago, also asks others to tell their stories as she helps them navigate the challenges of being a widow or widower, according to her MOAA colleagues. 

Members who want to learn how to assist both in the chapter and their communities look to her, and her advice includes educating and preparing people to make sure they have the necessary information and resources when they face the loss of a spouse. 

For her dedication and effort on behalf of surviving spouses, including planning a Family Continuity Symposium, Parkhurst has been named 2024 council-level recipient of MOAA’s Surviving Spouse Liaison Excellence Award.  

[AUG. 20 MOAA WEBINAR: Preparing a Spouse or Family Member for Survivorship] 

“Cathy emphasizes preparing people for the loss of a loved one and being there for them when the loss occurs,” said Col. Thomas Lindahl, USAF (Ret), president of the Colorado Council of Chapters. “She explains MOAA financial and other planning guides to surviving spouses, many of whom have never managed family finances because they deferred to their spouses. She explains the Survivor Benefit Plan, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and navigating TRICARE and Medicare to get the disruption in benefits sorted out as quickly as possible for newly surviving spouses.”

Parkhurst is humble about her role and leaves the description of her work to others.

“She doesn’t think she does that much,” said Col. Mary Kay Goetter, USAF, (Ret), president of the Wyoming-Colorado Border Chapter, but “she says ‘yes’ to anything that she can possibly do.” Her contributions also include insightful comments when decisions need to be made at chapter board meetings. 

[UPDATED MONTHLY: MOAA's Surviving Spouse Corner]

In addition to the ways she connects one-on-one with surviving spouses, she collaboratively developed the curriculum and helped arrange speakers for a symposium in Loveland, Colo., designed to prepare both military and non-military families to respond as effectively as possible in times of loss. The conference featured an estate planning attorney, a certified financial planner, and representatives from the local VA hospital and veterans services office, with information on health care, compensation, and death benefits.

The program included a segment on communicating your wishes to your family and extended family. The event was so successful that it is being used as a model for a similar symposium in Durango, Colo., in 2025. 

Known for giving sage advice, Parkhurst mixes her words with gifts from the heart for MOAA occasions, Goetter said. “She’s never been a ‘go to the store and buy something’ person. If she brings something, it’s from her kitchen with love. She’s a good soul.” 

Judy Christie is a writer in Colorado.