Even in the last summer of her life, Catherine Hackney was a familiar presence at the West Elementary walkers' track in Arcadia. She logged thousands of miles over a 30-year span, outpacing people who were half her age. "We made so many friends on that track" said Mary Ann Treadwell, who walked side-by-side with her friend for most of those miles. "Because Catherine loved people." But after a nine-month battle with cancer, Catherine Nicholls Hackney, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday at her home in Arcadia. Born in 1926, Catherine grew up in the small town of Washington, on the Pamlico River in North Carolina. Her mother eventually became the first female deputy sheriff in North Carolina. Her father, after a stint in the wartime Merchant Marine, operated an electrical contracting company in rural Beaufort and Hyde Counties. After graduating from Washington High School, Catherine attended Women's College in Raleigh. She also competed in the Miss North Carolina beauty pageant in 1947. In 1949, she married William Hackney, a former B24 navigator who had just returned home after graduating from the University of North Carolina. She started her family while her husband spent seven years as a writer and editor for the High Point (NC) Enterprise. They ultimately moved back to Washington after Bill accepted a position as sales manager for Hackney & Sons, a family-owned truck body manufacturer. But his love of journalism brought him and Catherine and their four children to Arcadia in 1964 when they acquired The Arcadian, a weekly newspaper. Bill died in 1970 at age 45, leaving Catherine with three children at home. She soon went to work for Martin and Crankshaw, M.D.s, where she served for more than a decade as office manager. During that time, all four of her children earned degrees from the University of Florida. Even after her retirement, she remained active in the affairs of Trinity Methodist Church in Arcadia, serving several terms as lay leader, and bringing her unforgettable style to countless Bible readings from the church pulpit on Sunday mornings. Catherine will be remembered as an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. She also shared her husband s passion for newspapers. She loved nothing more than to start her morning by walking out to the driveway, picking up her paper, and settling into her sofa with a cup of coffee for a morning read and crossword puzzle. Whenever Catherine got to experience the good life, which she called ultra, she reveled in it, mostly because of the moments it provided with the loved ones she was with. For many years she enjoyed attending plays in Tampa with her friends. She also liked the fine restaurants in places like Austin, New York City, Chicago and New Orleans, regaling friends and loved ones with her experiences. Always a Carolina girl at heart, Catherine would readily sit down in front of the television and support her Tar Heels on their annual quest toward a national championship in basketball. This carried over to her interest in the athletic exploits of her children and grandchildren. Catherine is survived by three sons: William Hackney Jr. (Debbie) of Arcadia, Max Hackney (Mary) of Tallahassee, and Holt Hackney (Beverly) of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Catherine Logan of Sarasota; four granddaughters: Sarah Hackney of Hood River, Oregon, Meg Moore of Wauchula, Caroline Hackney of Tallahassee, and Addie Hackney of Austin; and two grandsons: Josh Hackney of Sarasota and Harrison Hackney of Austin. Friends are invited to gather to celebrate Catherine s life on Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 No. Hillsborough Avenue, Arcadia, FL. At 6 p.m., all are invited to share stories and their experiences of Catherine. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 am at Trinity Methodist Church, followed by a reception at the church. A private interment will be held later. The family suggests flowers, or gifts to Hospice of Southwest Florida, or Trinity United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be made at pongerkaysgrady.com Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Arcadia, FL is in charge of arrangements.