Catherine Petty

Catherine "Katy" Petty passed away on Thursday April 20, while under the loving care of Sojourn Hospice at Park Visalia Senior Assisted Living. A resident of Visalia since 1946, Katy had celebrated her 100th birthday just this past January. Born in Pueblo, Colorado to Ombra and Arthur Bliesner in 1917, Katy was the next to oldest of six children. All of her siblings preceded her in death. Katy's family moved to Fresno in the mid-1930's at the height of the Great Depression. She attended Fresno State College and worked at her parents' cafe, The Polar, where she met her future husband, Roy Petty. The young couple fell in love and in January of 1939 drove to Yuma, Arizona where they were married. Daughter Judy Mayfield was born in 1940, sons Jim and Jack followed in 1944 and 1945 while Roy served in the United States Army. After World War II ended the family moved to Visalia in January of 1946 where Roy worked as Service and Parts Manager at what was then Shepherd-Ford Chevrolet. In 1955 Roy became the General Manager of what was then Gene Ford Chevrolet. Always at her husband's side, Katy busied herself raising their children. She worked tirelessly as a volunteer at the Methodist church, as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and PTA volunteer. Katy devoted her life to her family. In 1959 Roy became part owner of the Chevrolet dealership and in 1961 became sole owner of Giant Chevrolet Company. Roy and Katy enjoyed traveling for a number of years. Among other places, they visited London, Paris, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Brazil and China. Hawaii was another favorite place of theirs to visit. Roy preceded Katy in death, passing away in 1987. Since then Katy devoted herself to her home garden and to her various clubs--Women's Civic Club, Garden Club, Nile Club--and to her church. At her death she had been a member of The Visalia United Methodist Church for 71 years. Katy is survived by her three children--Judy, Jim and Jack, by 11 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, April 27th at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel followed by a graveside service at Visalia District Cemetery. Long time pastor and dear family friend, Reverend Harry Wood will officiate. Condolences can be made to www.salseranddillard.com

Catherine Petty

January 28, 1917 - April 19, 2017