Cathleen was born in Honolulu, Hawai`i and raised in Punalu'u, O`ahu. She graduated from the Kamehameha School for Girls in 1950 where she was a boarding student, participant in Hawaiian Club and ROTC Sponsor.Cathleen grew up participating in family hula when hula practices were restricted. Known to family and friends as Pi`ilani, she continued to hula, engage in Hawaiian cultural activities and support indigenous Hawaiian causes.
Cathleen is preceded in death by husband Creighton U Mattoon; sisters Ellen Heron, Leilani Pinto, Ululani Albert and brother Frank Oberle, Jr. She is survived by sons James Kimo, Creighton Ualani, Peter Ka`ohunoe Mattoon; daughters Malia Newhouse and Margaret Kau`i Weiss. Cathleen has eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and leaves behind an untold number of family, friends and colleagues.
Cathleen gave much of herself to malama `aina and malama `ohana. She was part of Ka Lahui Hawai`i, Ho`omalu na Kualoa, Ko`olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club and a claimant of kupuna `iwi of Mokapu and Punalu`u, O`ahu.
She served community on Neighborhood Board #28, Punalu`u Community Association and as member drafting the Ko`olauloa Sustainable Community Plan. Cathleen was a founding member of Keep The Country Country.
The Memorial Service was private. Her children extend their appreciation to extended family, friends and colleagues for support during this difficult time. An event to honor Cathleen and Creighton's legacy will be announced. `Ohana can be contacted via email at malian@hawaii.rr.com.
