Catherine Ellen Remmel Matthews

CATHERINE ELLEN REMMEL MATTHEWS died Saturday, February 22, 2020 surrounded by her family. Cathie was born May 18, 1941 to Pratt Cates Remmel and Catherine Couch Remmel in Little Rock, Ark. Cathie was a lifelong resident of Little Rock. She attended Randolph Macon Women's College in Virginia and went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi, chosen as a Razorback Beauty, and selected as a member of Mortar Board. Cathie was a devoted and wonderful mother to her two daughters, Meredith and Leslie. Culture and community were important to her. She was an active member of the Junior League of Little Rock and served as the co-chair of the Parent Center, now Centers for Youth and Families. She enjoyed the Arkansas Repertory Theater and the Arkansas Arts Center. Cathie was also a longtime member of the Little Rock chapter of Garden Clubs of America. In 1982, Cathie began a successful career in real estate with Coldwell Banker/McKinney and Co. and later with The Janet Jones Company. She was a Lifetime member of the Million Dollar Club of the Little Rock Board of Realtors. In 1995, Cathie was recruited as Director of Sales and Marketing for a start up telecommunications company, ACG Telesystems, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Cathie spent her two years in Africa experiencing many adventures. She made friends from all over the world and traveled widely throughout Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. Upon her return to Arkansas, Cathie was appointed Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. With her appointment to lead DAH, she became the State Preservation Officer for Arkansas. She traveled not only the state, but also the country promoting Arkansas' natural and cultural heritage. Cathie was elected to the Board of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. She was honored to be inducted into the Arkansas Game and Fish Outdoor Hall of Fame. Cathie recognized the importance of historically significant locales in the state that needed to be conserved, protected and enjoyed for outdoor enthusiasts. She was the longest serving Director of DAH having held the position for 15 years under two governors. Cathie's tenure at DAH was one of her proudest achievements. She believed strongly in learning from the past to live well in the future. Cathie was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. She is survived by her daughters, Meredith and Dr Stephen Tucker of Little Rock, and Leslie and Michael Thiele of Sebastopol, Calif. Two grandchildren, Lukas Pratt Thiele and Lyla Catherine Thiele of Sebastopol. She is also survived by her brother, Pratt Remmel, Jr, Dr. Lucy Sauer, and niece, Hannah Z Remmel, and her sister Rebecca Remmel, all of Little Rock. Additionally, she is survived by her aunt, Jean Remmel Little of Southhampton, N.Y., many Couch and Remmel cousins and her forever friend, Susan Overton Sutton. Cathie will be remembered for her kindness, her beauty, and her generosity of spirit. A celebration of Cathie's life will take place later this year. The service date and time will be announced when decided. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation, our local National Public Radio affiliate KUAR, Arkansas Arts Center, Alzheimer's Arkansas or the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Hospice Home Care on Bowman Road for their kind and loving care. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.