Cathleen Orchard

OBITUARY

Cathleen “Cathy” Shaun Orchard, of Bonsall, California, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at age 67 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Cathy is preceded in death by her siblings Melvin Orchard II, Paul Orchard, Karen Orchard, and Rebecca Pomeroy, and her parents Jeanne (Carr) Dougherty and Melvin Orchard. She is survived by her wife, Marianne Masterson; their children, Gavin Rodriguez, Hanna Orchard, and Hayden Orchard; daughter-in-law, Micaela Rodriguez; and grandson, Everest Rodriguez; in addition to many other cherished family members.

Born in Salt Lake City, Cathy spent her teenage years in New Jersey before moving to San Diego, where she lived for the rest of her life. She met her future wife Marianne Masterson in 1996. Together, they built a loving home and a strong community in Bonsall, where they raised three deeply loved children.

Cathy began her fire service career with the City of Poway, where she served as the city’s first female firefighter-paramedic and later as an engineer. She continued breaking barriers in firefighting roles with the Laguna Beach Fire Department, before making history as the first woman to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Monterey Park.

While her professional accomplishments were remarkable, those who knew Cathy will remember her for much more than the titles she held. After retiring, she volunteered with California GSP Rescue and other rescue organizations, giving her time, energy, and compassion to animals in need. She returned as often as she could to her happy place, the Eastern Sierras, where she enjoyed backpacking and adventuring through the wilderness.

Cathy lived with courage, service, compassion, and perseverance. She opened doors for the women who followed her, cared fiercely for the people around her, and gave animals in need a second chance. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the many people and animals whose lives she touched.

Celebration of Life will take place at Cathy’s residence on Saturday, Oct 3, 2026.