Cathy Harvey

EDITOR’S NOTE: A church community is created when people gather together for the love of God. At the same time, Saint Philip’s is comprised of many people who represent different ages, life experiences, and world views.

The “In conversation…” series is one attempt to create possibilities for connection between the different people in our community. As varied as we all are, there are also similarities and mutual interests waiting to be discovered. And there is one thing we all share: a desire to know God and be in relationship with him.

This week’s conversation is with Saint Philip’s parishioner and volunteer, Cathy Harvey.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since 2010 when my husband, Dick, and I began visiting Tucson during the winter months. I now live in Oro Valley full time.

How did you and your husband meet?
I was on the Vestry at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. The rector, Dan Matthews, asked if I would be willing to spend the weekend in Washington, DC with the Archbishop of Canterbury. I told him no because it would fall on my birthday. But Dan persisted and I relented.

Meanwhile, Dick lived in Seattle and during a visit there, Dan invited him, too.

So you met at the conference?
We both spent the whole weekend with the archbishop but never met each other.

How did you finally connect?
At the end of the weekend, I ended up sitting behind Dick on the bus going to the cathedral. He looked so lonely that I asked if he’d like to join me. We had a good conversation but then went our separate ways.

And then what?
Dick went to the hotel and I planned on visiting the stonecutters’ project at the Cathedral. But something inside me said to go back to the hotel and talk to him some more.

I arrived at the hotel just as Dick was checking out. I said, “I’ve never done this before, but I’ll be in Seattle in two weeks and would love a tour. Would you give me one?” He said he’d love to and that was the beginning.

We had a bi-coastal relationship for two years and then got married in 1990. He died in 2015.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I’m a cradle Episcopalian. 

What about Saint Philip’s appeals to you?
The seriousness with which we do music and liturgy. It makes the experience a sacred one.

How are you involved in the parish?
I’m very active with the Murphey Gallery Arts Committee. I also serve as a licensed Eucharistic Visitor which means I take Communion and visit people in homes or hospitals.

What did you do professionally before retiring?
For 35 years I was the Executive Officer of the Victoria Foundation, a private, philanthropic foundation that gave $11 million annually to projects carried out in Newark for education and community development and statewide for the environment.

What about the work did you like especially?
I was able to be creative and work with diverse groups of people—big corporations and little organizations that were “on the street.” I really enjoyed being able to start new projects.

Was there anything that was particularly challenging?
Deciding who would get grants.

Sometimes providing money can hurt an effort more than it helps. If an organization receives a large lump sum of money, they sometimes give up trying to get the small dollars—which can ultimately hurt the organization.

And then you have to determine if the applicant can really accomplish what they say they want to do.

Do you have a hobby?
I paint—mostly pastels. I started out with watercolor but that’s very hard to control. I like the richness of the hues in pastels.

How did you get started with art?
Before I retired, I had several close girlfriends and we all had demanding jobs. One was a newspaper publisher, one was a federal judge, another worked in President Carter’s administration…you get the idea.

We were at a leadership conference once and I told them I was tired of thinking all the time. One of the friends said we should learn to paint so we can use the right side of our brains. After that we met once a week to paint.

What’s something you’ve learned that your younger self didn’t know?
When I was younger, I always strived to accomplish something so that if I died the next day my obituary would be full. Now I don’t care about that.

What do you care about now?
I’m still figuring that out. I want to make more friends and find something that really excites me. But so far, I’m still searching.

I’m learning how to be more relaxed about things; it’s time to take it easy and drink ice-tea.

My painting and participating in workshops and being part of the painting community has definitely helped me with my transition to retirement.

What’s something you’re proud of?
Other than my kids, I’m proud that I’m a good friend.

How do you define a good friend?
Being there when people need me—even when it isn’t convenient.

I’m also proud of the work I’ve done. I was given an honorary doctorate from Bloomfield College.

What’s something you find challenging?
I have far fewer friends who are still alive. I find that very challenging. Oh—and people who think they know everything!

How do you navigate that loss?
I read somewhere that grief is love with no place to go. Isn’t that gorgeous? I think the memories I have of my friends and the moments we shared together helps sustain me.

What’s one of your core values?
Caring. I care about people. And justice. Over the course of my life I’ve gotten most involved when I’ve seen injustice.

Did something in your youth shape that value?
When I was in junior high school, my father owned a car dealership. The Ford Company talked him into selling the Edsel.

He lost everything. Absolutely everything—including our home. Ford didn’t do anything to support the dealers who suffered from their experiment. That was a real injustice.

How did that impact you?
One impact was that I started work instead of going to college. I would have been the first in my family to attend college so my grandmother was very upset. But there wasn’t any money.

But… I later went to Rutgers University at age 36. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa while working and raising three children.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
It’s changed over the years. Right now I think it’s to be compassionate. For example, when I’m in the grocery store and am behind someone who is slower than I am, I try to tell myself there might be a good reason for that. I’m learning to be patient—which is not something I always was.

What’s something you’re grateful for?
I’m 84 years old and I read recently that 77% of people my age are dead. So I’m grateful for life—including how fortunate I’ve been. Just being born in the United States has given me advantages.

What’s one of your super powers?
I have a talent for bringing people together.

What have you learned about people?
That most people are basically good.

What’s something you want to do but haven’t…yet?
I’d love to take a cruise around the world. I would like to see things I haven’t yet experienced without having to drive or make the arrangements.

What’s something new you’re doing?
I’m learning how to play Mah-Jongg.

What’s a talent you wish you had?
I’m not a good writer but I would love to be an author.

What captures your imagination about writing?
The ability to understand how language works to be able to tell a story in such a way that people want to read it.

What have I not asked that you would like people to know?
That I enjoy making new friends so please say hello if you see me in church.

Missed an interview? All previous interviews can be found on Saint Philip’s website under the “About Us” tab. Click here to visit that page.