We regret to announce the passing of Catherine Smith Garigan. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 31st 2011. Catherine Smith Garigan born in 1936 was a native of Montgomery Alabama. She attended Lanier High School and was a graduate of the class of 1954. As an active student she was Senior Class Vice President, a staff member of Blue and White, the Lanier news paper, a member of the Student Council, part of the Youth Legislature in 1952, and '53, and a member of City Government in 1953. Catherine attended Wellesley College for three years before marrying Thomas P. Garigan, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, in 1957. When her husband was assigned to his first tour in Vietnam in 1964, she returned to Wellesley with their two young children and completed her undergraduate education, receiving a BA in English. Catherine also attained a Masters degree in vocational counseling from Long Island University, and worked when her husband's thirty-year military career allowed. A gifted editor who also earned a professional certificate from the Publication Specialist Program at George Washington University, Catherine worked as an assistant editor at several publications. Before retiring, she worked for several years at the newly established US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Her husband, who predeceased her by twenty years, retired from the US Army as a Colonel. After her retirement, she lived at Greenspring Village in Springfield, Virginia. Catherine has long been appreciated for the gift of artistry, seen in a wide variety of handcrafts including most recently handmade pottery. She is survived by daughter Margaret Ellen Garigan of Falls Church, Virgina, son Thomas Philip Garigan, Jr. MD, also a retired Army Colonel, (Amy Strickland Garigan), and granddaughter Grace Elizabeth Garigan, all residents of Evans, Georgia, and sister Anna Smith Griswold (Edward C. Griswold) both residents of Columbia, South Carolina. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 3rd, 2011, 9 a.m. at Greenspring Village, Springfield, VA, 22150. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Capital Caring (Inpatient Services), 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22014 (703-538- 2065).