Catherine Beale Cant

Catherine Beale Cant (nee Yarnall) was born March 10, 1943 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but lived in Maryland throughout childhood. When she was 14, the family moved to Key West, Florida, where Catherine was valedictorian of Key West High School.

Catherine graduated magna cum laude from Randolph Macon Women’s College, majoring in mathematics. Upon her graduation in 1964, she married Geoffrey Cant, a naval officer whom she had met in Key West. After obtaining her master’s degree from the University of Connecticut, she and Geoffrey relocated to the Washington, D.C., area. Catherine was a 12th generation descendant of Clement Hill, who was among the founders of Maryland. Catherine inherited a 25-acre tract of the family land on which they built their home, called Ashcrest, in Upper Marlboro, Md. She was a gifted math teacher and department chair at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md., where she taught for 40 years.

Catherine and Geoffrey made their home at Ashcrest for 38 years, where they raised their son, Christopher, and daughter Catherine (Katie).

Catherine and Geoffrey enjoyed vacationing out west and chose to retire in Sandpoint, Idaho, for the scenery and wonderful community. They were happily married for 57 years and active in Sandpoint, particularly in the Episcopal church. Catherine enjoyed singing, both at church and in the Pend Oreille Chorale, and she loved being a grandmother. Tragically, due to Alzheimer’s, she passed away on April 5, 2021.

She is survived by her husband, Geoffrey of Sandpoint; their son, Chris Cant and his wife Kim Compton of Olney, Md.; their daughter, Katie and her husband Chip Peterson and three grandchildren, Charlie, Will, and Emily Peterson, all of Ann Arbor, Mich.; her sister, Esther Yarnall Hatchett; and several nephews and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 55 Rocky Point Road, Sandpoint, Idaho, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Geoffrey would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. The service is expected to be available on Zoom. Inurnment is anticipated the fall in Annapolis, Md.

Family and friends are invited to sign Catherine’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.