Catherine "Caye" Mary Cain

Catherine “Caye” Mary (Quinn) Cain, 93, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. A native New Yorker, Caye was born in Brooklyn on November 24, 1932, one of ten children. Her parents eventually left the city and bought a farm in the rolling hills of Cherry Valley, New York, in search of a better life. It became a cherished gathering place for many years, filled with fond memories and colorful stories. The vibrant culture of Brooklyn, the closeness of her large family, and the quiet country life of Cherry Valley all helped shape the values that guided her long life. After completing nursing school, Caye married and began a family of her own. She approached motherhood with dedication, a sense of humor, and practicality, providing stability, guidance, and care throughout her children’s lives. She balanced a fulfilling nursing career with raising her family — her commitment to both never wavered. As a Registered Nurse, Caye devoted her career to surgical care, offering steady hands, sharp skill, and deep compassion to countless patients. Her work in the operating room was more than a profession — it was a calling she fulfilled with grace, dedication, and quiet strength. In addition to family and career, Caye found joy in the steady rhythms of the natural world. An avid gardener, she nurtured everything she touched. Her home was a sanctuary of green life, shaped by her patience and care. She held a deep love for all animals, welcoming every creature — wild or domestic — with kindness and curiosity. Her children and grandchildren absorbed this love for the natural world, a lasting gift that rooted itself gently in each of their lives. She also loved cooking and caring for her family, creating a home filled with warmth and nourishment. She especially enjoyed decorating for the holidays and wrapping gifts with an artist’s touch. Caye was especially known for her warm tapioca pudding — a simple, comforting dish that became a signature of her love, remembered fondly by all who were lucky enough to enjoy it. Upon retiring, Caye and her husband, James “Jim” Cain, embraced a life of exploration, traveling across the United States with their beloved dogs. After their travels, they chose a life split between two places they loved: spending summers on the Oregon coast in Florence and winters in the desert of Congress, Arizona. Those years were filled with simple joys, new landscapes, and the comfort of being together. Caye was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah Ann West, and her beloved husband, James, with whom she shared many years of partnership, devotion, and enduring companionship. Their bond remained a source of comfort and strength throughout her life. Caye and Jim will be laid to rest together on February 9, 2026 at Deschutes Memorial Gardens, reunited in peace and calm. She is survived by her children, Lynda West, Walter West, and Susan Zandonella; a step‑daughter, Janice Pfotenhauer; three grand‑daughters, Coral West, Morgan Zandonella, and Kendall Cox; a great‑granddaughter, Holland Quinn Davis; her sisters, Mary Lou Wells and Margaret Crandall; and many nieces and nephews — all of whom carry memories of her warmth, resilience, and gentle spirit. May her memory live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to serve the family.

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Catherine "Caye" Mary Cain

November 24, 1932 - January 19, 2026