Born on May 7, 1956, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, at St. Mary’s Catholic Hospital, to Frank and Margaret (Gallegos) Vargas, Cathleen lived a life defined by quiet devotion, deep love, and steady kindness. She passed away on February 1, 2026, at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, following complications related to Multiple Myeloma. Her memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff with Pastor Frank Vargas officiating. Memorials in her honor may be made to Festival of Hope. The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Cathleen’s obituary page, viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Cathleen grew up in Mitchell, Nebraska, and was a proud graduate of Mitchell High School. She later earned an Associate of Arts degree from Nebraska Western College. Her professional life was dedicated to early childhood education, where she served as a Head Start preschool teacher, work that reflected her belief in giving children a strong and loving beginning. She began her career with the Mitchell Head Start, later working in the Scottsbluff and Gering Head Start Programs. She also worked for the Summer Migrant Head Start Program in Lyman and Scottsbluff. Known as a teacher who was both strict and deeply caring, she held high expectations while building children up with patience and encouragement. Many of the children she taught carried her influence with them long after leaving her classroom.
On September 14th, 1976, she married Mike Longoria. Though their marriage later ended after 29 years, they remained dear, lifelong friends, a reflection of her grace, loyalty, and capacity for enduring care.
Cathleen was a faithful member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Mitchell. She served as a catechism teacher and was actively involved in the religious education program. Her faith expressed itself not loudly, but through service, consistency, and love for others.
Above all else, she devoted her life to her family. Cathleen took great pride in being a mother and grandmother, always placing her loved ones at the center of her world. She cared for people instinctively and generously, never too tired to cook a meal, offer guidance, or teach the importance of doing things the right way, especially when it came to manners, presentation, responsibility, and respect.
Cathleen was creative by nature and found joy in drawing, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She lovingly made outfits for herself and her children and delighted in creating Halloween costumes, which was one of her favorite holidays. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her yard, finding peace in a quiet life at home.
Shy, kind, and unassuming, Cathleen valued a small circle of close friendships and lived privately, believing deeply in the quality of relationships over quantity. She was an observer who noticed what others missed, remembered everything, and found beauty and meaning in the smallest details. Those closest to her also knew she possessed a clever, dry sense of humor with impeccable timing, often delivering a quiet remark or perfectly placed look that said more than words ever could.
She loved watching movies with her family, especially action and horror films, and was an excellent cook with a deep appreciation for culinary arts. She enjoyed watching the Food Network and often reflected that cooking might have been a calling she discovered later in life. Patient and thoughtful, she was a gifted problem-solver, able to work through even the most tedious or puzzling challenges with calm persistence. Cathleen also had a special admiration for animals, particularly her beloved tuxedo cat, Stanley, as well as the family tabby, Libby, and Abby, the family dog.
Survivors include her daughter, Andrea Longoria of Scottsbluff; her son, Michael Longoria (Shayna Hudson) of Gering; and her grandchildren, Tallon McDonald, Bianca McDonald, Jayden Longoria, Blake Longoria, Jace Longoria, and Blair Longoria. She is also survived by sisters, Patty Egbert (Jay) of Eugene, Oregon, and Anna Calvillo of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, John Vargas (Debbie) of Lenexa, Kansas, Raymund Vargas (Connie) of Bakersfield, California, Frank Vargas (Connie) of Columbia Falls, Montana, Joseph Calvillo of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Louie Calvillo (Teri) of Wahalla, North Dakota, and Robert Calvillo (Sym) of Manassas, Virginia; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Margaret Vargas.
Cathleen’s life was not marked by noise or attention, but by steady presence, quiet strength, and unwavering love. She will be remembered for the care she gave, the lives she shaped, and the warmth she brought to her family and those fortunate enough to truly know her. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, former students, and all who were touched by her gentle, thoughtful spirit.
