Cathy Dargie

Mary Cathleen “Cathy” Dargie, 83, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, peacefully passed away on September 10, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

Cathy was born on September 18, 1940, in Dillon, Montana. She was the third child born to Thomas and Helen Carney. Her dad worked for the railroad, so they lived in Montana; Utah; and eventually, Boise, Idaho. She graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy in 1958. After high school, Cathy joined the Cabrini Club, the Boise St. John’s Cathedral organization for post-high school unmarried Catholic youths. She attended nursing school for a little while at St. Alphonsus School of Nursing in Boise. However, she found that wasn’t for her and attended Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 1964. Cathy’s first teaching position was in Auburn, Washington, at Holy Family Catholic grade school, beginning in the fall of 1964. Soon after that, she met Richard George “Dick” Dargie. On June 17, 1967, they were married in Boise, Idaho. They lived in Auburn, Washington; Boise, Idaho; and then settled in Shelley, Idaho in 1977. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary the year before Dick passed.

Cathy taught in Blackfoot for two years, and then taught for the rest of her career until her retirement in 2005 at Goodsell Elementary and Hazel Stuart Elementary in Shelley. She loved teaching and her students adored her. 

Cathy was a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church in Idaho Falls. She was also a member of the Eagles Lodge.

She was an accomplished singer. Many places, especially her church, would request and gladly welcome her into their choirs, particularly as a soloist. She was a coloratura soprano, which is the highest voice of all sopranos. She participated in Glee Club in high school and sang quite often for St. John’s Cathedral in Boise. Cathy was also a soloist, choir member, and cantor at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Idaho Falls for many years. She frequently sang at funerals and weddings as well.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Dusty Roth; a brother, Jim Carney; a brother, Pat Carney; and a brother, Mike Carney.

Survivors include five children: Ann Mize of Idaho Falls; Michael (Vicki) Dargie of Maricopa, Arizona; Thomas (Berta) Dargie of Idaho Falls; Pam Kantack of Idaho Falls; and Jenn Mulberry, also of Idaho Falls; 16 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. She is also survived by a sister, Ann (Paul) Smith; a brother, Tim (Maureen) Carney; and another sister, Helen Carney.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, September 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Church on 17th Street and Woodruff Avenue in Idaho Falls. Following shortly after the funeral mass, everyone is invited to a celebration of Cathy’s life at the Eagles Lodge, 635 Hemmert Ave, in Idaho Falls. A viewing and rosary will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, at Buck Murphy Funeral Home, 825 E 17th ST, in Idaho Falls. Arrangements made under the direction of Buck Murphy Funeral Home.