TACOMA, Wash. — In Tacoma’s Eastside Community Center, city leaders and community members gathered to celebrate the life of one of its architects, Catherine Ushka.
“We built this place so we could have this,” said Ushka’s partner and Pierce County Councilmember Marty Campbell. “Catherine and I would often talk about how there was no place on the Eastside of Tacoma for people to come together, and now we have it, and this room is exactly what was envisioned.”
Ushka died on May 16 at the age of 55.
On Thursday, a service was held in her honor, and colleagues and loved ones filled the air with songs and stories of her impact and final moments.
“Tacoma, you were so good to my friend,” said Ushka’s friend, Jeanie Pordue. “You gave my friend so much joy, challenge, heartbreak and love.”
Ushka’s life was one defined by service.
Originally from Connecticut, she served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, deploying after September 11.
As a vocal advocate for Tacoma’s Eastside, Ushka began her first term on the city council in 2017.
She was re-elected in 2021 and served as deputy mayor in 2022. That same year, Ushka announced that she had stage 3 cervical cancer.
“I had no doubt that day that Catherine would fight tooth and nail to the very end, and she did exactly that,” recalled Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards.
Two years later, Ushka fought to clean up a toxic lot on Park Avenue. It is now a vibrant park that bears her name.
Now, as Tacoma bids farewell to the former steward of Tacoma’s 4th District, those closest to her promise that her memory and example will live on.
"I say to my friend: job well done, you put up a good fight, and it was an honor to know her," said Ahndrea Blue, CEO of Making a Difference Foundation.
Ushka is survived by her daughter Amelia, son Gus, father Mike, brother David and partner Marty.