Catherine Leathers Hartley

Amanda Catherine Leathers Hartley, born July 19, 1926, passed away at her home in Watkinsville on March 8, 2021, at the age of 94. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Venable Coe Leathers and Divona McIntosh Leathers, as well her brother, Venable Leathers, her sister Anne Leathers Sewell, her daughter, Catherine Anne Hartley Hart, and her son, Mark Hartley. She is survived by her son, Reid Hartley of Watkinsville, her daughter Tracy (Mark) Mosher of Watkinsville, her grandsons Luke Mosher and Paul Mosher, her sister-in-law Mary Hartley Camacho, and nieces and nephews.

Catherine always felt that one of the most important decisions in her life was attending Georgia State College for Women, where she earned a degree in Social Science. While attending, she was active in the YWCA where she worked toward solving issues affecting the rights of women.

After college, Catherine married and had four children with Tom Hartley, Jr.

She worked for DFCS in Decatur before attending UGA at 50 years of age to obtain her Master’s of Social Work. With her MSW she focused on family therapy, working mainly with adolescents struggling with drug addiction.

She enjoyed traveling to see her longtime friends in Bethesda, MD. Her favorite adventure was a 10-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with her daughter Catherine Ann and her longtime friend, Sara.

Catherine was an accomplished potter, taking her first ceramics classes at Chastain Park in Atlanta in the 1970s, followed by classes at Georgia State and later at UGA.  After retiring in 1991, she built a home in Oconee County and achieved her life-long dream of building a home pottery studio. Her pottery designs were heavily influenced by her observations of the shapes and surfaces of nature. She was very active with the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation and was a founding member of the ViVi’s, where she had a lot of fun with fellow artists making things to sell to support OCAF’s ongoing work in the community.

Catherine said she was happiest when she was being silly, loved being with friends and family (especially her grandchildren who lived next door), and enjoyed lively conversations. She said her life’s motto was: “Work hard, enjoy life, and enjoy chocolate-dipped apricots.”

Special thanks from her family to her waffle brunch, OCAF, and caregiver friends who gave her joy and comfort in her last years.

Catherine requested no memorial service be given because of COVID-19 concerns.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to her favorite nonprofit, the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF).

Lord & Stephens, West, Watkinsville, Georgia is entrusted with arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com