Catherine (Cayle) Wingard, age 60 chose to end her life’s journey on May 22, 2014 at her home in Helena. She was the victor over two bouts of breast cancer, but couldn’t overcome depression-related challenges of the past few years. An illustration of Cayle’s generosity did come from her death however, as several people gained a new start as a result of her participation in the organ donor program.
Cayle was raised in Butte by Robert G. and Mary Catherine Lynch (Staples); a brother Bob joined them. She also had many Aunts, Uncles, and her maternal grandmother to flavor her childhood experiences. Cayle attended Catholic grade school before moving on to Butte where she joined her father, a long-time and beloved History and Government teacher. Cayle was an enthusiastic supporter of school sports and a member of the Purple B’z Drill Team. She then went to Montana Tech and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. From there, Cayle went to graduate school at MSU in Bozeman and became a loyal CAT fan!!
At MSU, Cayle fine-tuned her skills in educating those challenged by mathematics and she also met and married her husband Mike (one of those mathematically challenged persons)! Mike and Cayle settled in Helena in 1980 where they both had full careers in state government. Cayle worked two separate stints with the MT Department of Transportation, interrupted with an instructor position at the Helena College of Technology. Cayle retired from the Transportation department in 2006.
During Mike and Cayle’s journey many friendships, Short-haired Pointers, and a plethora of activities enhanced their lives. These activities included golf, rafting, kayaking, mountain-biking, and pursuing Mike around the softball complexes of MT. When Mike was not playing softball, they attended major sporting events including: the Masters, Final Fours, baseball games, and most importantly to Cayle, a myriad of thoroughbred horse activities.
Cayle was a fountain of information regarding horse racing and lived to watch and track the progress of these magnificent animals. Cayle visited Kentucky and various other states to see her horses and watch some of the major races. To the continued amusement of her husband however, Cayle was a lousy bettor on races because she used her heart more than her head to pick winners!! Cayle’s passion and consideration for racehorses was remarkable and sustaining during her illnesses.
Cayle’s passing leaves a hole in the heart of many, including her husband, Mother, beloved dog Teva, and those friends who agonized over how to help her in the past few years. Her father, Robert G. Lynch and her Uncle Chuck Staples who lived with the family in Butte, preceded Cayle in death. Her husband Mike, mother Mary Catherine Lynch who still resides in the family home and her brother Bob Lynch who lives in Pensacola, Florida survive Cayle. She also had in-laws, nieces and nephews around the U.S.
A gathering of friends and family will take place on Thursday, May 29th between 4:00 and 6:00 pm at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke funeral home at 3750 North MT Avenue in Helena. Cayle’s ashes will be interred in the Lynch family plot in Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte at a later date. Donations can be made in Cayle’s name (and deeply appreciated by her horses) through Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue at P.O. Box 53, Morriston Florida 32668 or to NAMI Montana, P.O. Box 1021 Helena, MT 59624, or the charity of your choice. To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Cayle please visit below.
Dick Varner says
I’ll always remember our fun times rafting the rivers of western Montana with Mike and Cayle. We really enjoyed ourselves back in those days.
Kathleen Morrison says
Mike, Bob and I were so sorry to hear of Cayle’s passing. I remember golfing with Cayle’s on many occasions at lady’s golf league….she was one of the few walkers at that time and we both loved to walk the course. She was always so interesting and talked about going to the baseball hall of fame w you one year. She had a blast! We will always remember her smile and miss her. Blessings of peace to you,
Bob and Kathy Morrison
Patty and Randy Wood says
Mike,
Out deepest condolences to you and Cayle’s family. Always enjoyed watching endless softballs games with her. What a wonderful person.
Thoughts and prayers ,
Patty and Randy
Penny Ackley Dodson says
Mike, my deepest sympathy are with you and Cayle’s mother. I too remember all of the fun times we had together rafting, golfing and partying both in MT and AZ. My prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Love, Penny
Kim Thornton Tretheway says
Mike, I am so sorry for your loss and my prayers and thoughts are with you and Cayle’s mom. I too remember all the great times we had together – playing and working in the same office. I especially remember two special friends coming over to Butte and taking me to Billings during a difficult time in my life.
Love, Kim
Joni Kaiser says
I will always remember Cayle and our mountain biking adventures with our dogs Rani and Brandy. We spent many hours sweating up the mountain paths and talking about everything and nothing. We could resolve any mystery when we were riding and our dogs were close by!!! I will never forget her for that time in my life. She was a good friend to me.
Mike, please know that I am praying for you and Cayle’s mom.
Roger Muchmore says
I was a part of that rafting crowd too. Mike, I am sorry to hear this sad news. I will always remember Cayle as a friendly considerate person.
Kathy Brunell Redekopp says
My deepest sympathy to Cayle’s family. Cayle and I were in the Purple B’z together. She was always smiling and a GREAT team member. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Misty Wallace says
Mike,
My deepest condonlences to you and Cayle’s family. I am so sorry for your loss of such a great and beautiful person. My heart reaches out to all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Emmett Coon says
I taught with Cayle at the College of Technology. I remember that her students always had great respect for her and great things to say about her classes and her teaching style. She had a way of making the subject understandable for them. My condolences and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Linda and Dan Gaughan says
Our deepest sympathy to you, Mike and Cayle’s mom. We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mitzi Heard says
My sincere condolences to all of you. I grew up with Cayle and remember many times spent at my aunt and uncle’s house with Cayle, Bob, my brother and me. Mary Catherine, you and Cayle were two of the closest mother/daughter’s I ever knew. May she rest in peace. I cannot make it to the service, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill Crivello says
Mike: My condolences to you and all of your family. I am sorry I will
be out of town and unable to attend the services, but you are in my thoughts.
Bill
Lynne Kunz says
I send my condolences to the family. I was Cayle’s friend in elementary school and our passion was horses, horses, horses. I have thought of her often over the years and was saddened to hear of her passing. I know her spirit horse has carried her home and she is now experiencing the light of love of her spiritual family. You are in my prayers.
Billy Zywot says
My condolences to family…I am saddened for all. If it wasn’t for Cayle’s patience when tutoring me in Math 095, I would have never made it. The Angels in Heaven have good reason to sharpen their pencils…:)
Misty Hammerbacker says
Mike, I’m so sorry to hear about Cayle. She was a wonderful and kind person. I worked with her for several years and she was always one of the kindest and most generous ladies I knew. My condolences for you and the family. May GOD be with you and support you now and always.
Betty and Brian Taylor says
Mike and Mary Katherine,
We are so sorry to hear of sweet, sweet Cayle’s
Passing. You may not recall, but I first met Cayle when I was her RA In Roskie Hall @ MSU.
She had a single room and often invited me
In to watch tv and have a “snack fest”.
We giggled and solved world problems. She was so smart.
We watched the Cats become National champs
Together in 1976. We worked together at the
DOT together until I left Helena in 1986. We
Would often meet for lunch. Cayle was one
Of the smartest, kindest souls we knew. We are so
Sorry to hear of her struggles these last years, we are sad to hear of your loss. May she find peace,
Heaven is lucky to get her, she will be a welcomed
Addition.
Cathy Pullin-Kovich says
Mike and Cayle’s family,
I attended the gathering yesterday but I did not get a chance to tell you how very sorry I am for Cayle’s suffering and how hard this would be for all of you. The obituary author did a marvelous job portraying Cayle’s life, both the good and bad, and sharing her final choices. The number of people who gathered is a tribute to a wonderful person. I have many memories of working with Cayle and past craft nights full of laughs with topics with no limits. My regret is not staying in touch with her. Bless her journey for now she suffers no more. You remain in my thoughts and prayers. May the many memories fill you with joy as the sorrow passes.
Jenna Anderson says
You’re in our thoughts and prayers mike. God bless you and your families during this time. Hope we’ll be seeing you again this next season at S.G.L. If you need anything, let us know.
Vicki & Charlie Hail says
Mike,
We offer our condolences and pray that your happy memories of
your time with Cayle stand out in this time of her passing.
Charlie & Vicki
Theresa Batchelor says
Dear Mike and family,
I didn’t know about Cayle’s passing until tonight – my sincere condolences to all of you. Cayle has been a friend for a few years now, although we never met in person, we “talked” quite a bit via social media, and over phone a couple of times, about horses. She loved horses so very much and helped many of them here at the rescue. What a compassionate and caring person she was! It was only a month ago that she was offering me words of strength and encouragement after losing a year old miniature horse named Wally unexpectedly. Cayle certainly earned her angel wings while here on earth. May you find comfort in the many memories of your time with her.
Theresa & Bob Batchelor
And all of the horses at Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue
Joan Ludlow says
I didn’t know about Cayle’s passing until today, as well. I am so sorry. I was a fellow horse-racing fan friend and I always enjoyed our conversations about the horses we loved on the social media sites we frequented. When I hear certain horses’ names, I will always remember Cayle and her love for them. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Susan Stabler says
I was so sorry to hear of Cayle’s passing. I knew her through the horse-racing sites as well. I always enjoyed hearing her insights into horses pedigrees. She loved the horses of the Alydar bloodline and always rooted for them. She also loved the horses of Beauty’s Haven. I will miss talking to her on the computer. You all have my deepest sympathies.