Cathy Lee Wagstaff

Cathy Lee Wagstaff, 80, peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father on December 8, 2025. Born on May 5, 1945, in San Diego, California, Cathy lived a life defined by service, compassion, faith, learning and extraordinary dedication to her country and those in her care.

After graduating high school in 1963, Cathy moved to Utah to begin her lifelong calling as a nurse. She trained at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, completing the three-year course in Theory and Practice of Nursing and receiving her Diploma on June 3, 1966. She obtained her Registered Nurse license from the State of Utah on October 6, 1967, officially beginning what would become decades of medical service.

Cathy entered the United States Air Force on January 2, 1969. As a flight nurse during the Vietnam conflict, she played a critical role in transporting wounded soldiers out of conflict zones to safety and lifesaving medical care—work that shaped her career and remained one of her greatest honors. Her courage, skill and compassion saved lives. She served until April 2, 1973.

Dedicated to expanding her ability to serve, Cathy completed a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at Utah State University in 1976, followed by a Master of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 1980. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Utah in 1981, and a Master of Science in Nursing along with her Nurse Practitioner degree from Brigham Young University in 1986.

With her advanced training, she once again answered the call to serve, this time by joining the United States Navy as a Nurse Practitioner, where she served faithfully from April 1, 1985 to April 30, 2005—a distinguished 20 years. During her service, she achieved the ranks of Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander while providing exceptional care to service members and their families around the world. She lived and served in Vietnam; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy; Naval Hospital Cherry Point, North Carolina; Saudi Arabia; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California; and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Her professionalism and compassion earned her the respect of both colleagues and commanding officers, including a formal letter of commendation from the Director of Medical Services and Captain of Fleet Hospital Five.

Cathy retired from the military in 2005. Her life’s work spanning the Vietnam War, peacetime service, and the Gulf War embodied courage, sacrifice and selfless devotion.

Faith was the steady center of Cathy’s life. She loved her Heavenly Father and served an honorable mission in Santiago, Chile, blessing countless lives with her testimony, kindness and nursing skills.

Whether through medical care, military service, or contributions to her community and church, she made the world better for those who crossed her path.

Cathy’s talents and passions were as remarkable as her service. She loved animals, especially dogs, and was an accomplished triathlete, an excellent cook and baker, and an outdoors enthusiast who embraced adventure, challenge, and self-reliance. Cathy’s generosity and quiet strength touched everyone who knew her.

Cathy will be remembered as a woman of exceptional compassion and steady strength. Her legacy lives on in the lives she healed, the people she strengthened, and the family who loved her dearly.

Preceding Cathy in death are her parents and grandparents whom she deeply loved.

Cathy is survived by her siblings Lanny (Jane), Lynne (Rudy), Lloyd (Christina) and Ray (Chris), along with beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Her family is profoundly proud of her extraordinary life, her accomplishments, and are immensely grateful for the love, strength, and example she leaves behind. She will be forever loved and deeply missed. Till we meet again.

Cathy’s memorial service and interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 15, 2025, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.