DyAnn Lynn Catterson Harris died peacefully surrounded by family, due to complications from
liver and kidney disease on September 7, 2023 in Olympia, WA. DyAnn had been suffering
terribly after a serious car accident earlier this year injuring her neck and back.
DyAnn was born to Tom and Dorothy Catterson on July 8, 1948, the 3 rd of four children in
Aberdeen, Washington. DyAnn had one brother, Gene married to Kay with three daughters,
Cindy, Lisa and Mollie; older sister Mae married to Art with two sons, Donnie and David, and a
younger sister Penny, who was called home at 4 months old.
DyAnn was raised in Grays Harbor County, in Aberdeen, Washington. She graduated from
Weatherwax High School, Class of 1966. She graduated from Grays Harbor Community College
in 1972 with an AA degree in Legal Sciences, secured employment with Washington State
Employment Security where she worked in several different positions for over 25 years. She
made her home in the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area for most of her adult life. She excelled
working in the Job Service Center matching applicants with employers in the Thurston/Mason
County area.
DyAnn met the true love of her life and married John Walker Harris on January 1, 2012. John
predeceased her in March of 2022, due to lung cancer. They lived in Laurel Oaks in Lacey, WA
and were beloved members of that community. Together they had 5 grown children, Jamsetta
Evans, John Harris Jr, Brandon Harris, Deborah Graham, and Jason Pleasant, multiple
grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. DyAnn often said, “God saved the very
best for last, and her only regret was not meeting John earlier in life.”
DyAnn was an outgoing, caring, loving person with a passion for living life to the fullest. She was
a member of the Federation of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, started a
chapter of “The Red Hat Club.” She enjoyed, polka dots, bling, garage sales, bazaars, poker,
decorating her home and yard, Mexican train, traveling, and she excelled at bringing social
groups together. She loved attending her grandchildrens, nephews and nieces sporting and
cheer events. She was known as “Auntie Dy” to many, and she loved and cherished every
moment with them.
The family is hosting a “Celebration of Life” for DyAnn at Faith Lutheran Church at 7075 Pacific
Ave, Lacey, WA on October 21 st , 1pm. Please feel free to bring a dish or dessert to share. To
honor DyAnn and her flair for style, we are asking the ladies to wear their favorite bling or polka
dots and the men to dress in their Seahawks or Patriotic gear.
The family would like to thank Capitol Medical Center and its team in the ICU, and Emerald
Cremation and Burial.
