Catherine Weeks died suddenly of a massive heart attack on January 12, 2015. Catherine was well known in Humboldt County as a “rhody expert.” She started Westgate Gardens Nursery in 1966, and operated it until the day she died.

She loved rhododendrons, maples and azaleas but her favorite plant was the Rhododendron. Catherine was a founding member of the Dr. Richard Anderson Rhododendron Club, which later became the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and served as President and Vice President.

Through years of study, and trial and error, Catherine learned how to hybridize rhododendrons, and had registered 56 new hybrids with the American Rhododendron Society before her passing.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Weeks, and is survived by her children and their families. Frank & Alice Pires of North Carolina, Dan & Pat Pires of Eureka, Rod & Lerma Pires of Georgia, Cindy & Dan Lovett of Eureka, Robert & Stella Pires of Tennessee, and Melvin & Joanne Weeks of Oregon, she is also survived by numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life honoring Catherine will be held at the family home at noon on April 18, 2015. Friends and family are invited to come and share stories of Catherine and view her favorite plant, the Rhododendron growing in her gardens.

If you plan to attend the Celebration of Life, please RSVP Dan Pires at 707-497-9803.

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The above obituary was submitted by Catherine Weeks’ family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.