Cathy Faye Goldstein Tasman died on March 9 in Louisville, Ky. She was 78.

Cathy was born in Louisville in 1947 to Roselynne (nee Pookman) and Samuel Z. Goldstein.

She received her BFA from the Sophie Newcomb College, graduating cum laude with distinction in art in 1969. She was the first studio art student in Newcomb’s then 81-year history to gain permission to study abroad for her junior year.

She pursued her MFA at the University of Kentucky, where she received a fully-funded fellowship in painting and printmaking, graduating in 1971. While in Lexington, she taught first grade at The Sayre School.

She began her public advocacy work for women’s rights, testifying at the state legislature in support of reproductive freedom of choice in 1972. In 1974, she moved to Cincinnati with her husband, Allan Tasman, MD, where she was director of refugee resettlement at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Cincinnati.

Cathy and Allan moved to West Hartford, Conn. in 1976, when Allan was offered a position at the department of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut. During her Connecticut years, she focused her attention on her family and three children — Ilana, David and Sarah — especially nurturing their interest in creative activities. She also continued her own artistic work, including color printmaking at the University of Hartford.

She gained certification in elementary and high school education from Central Connecticut State University.

In 1977, Cathy and her family discovered Martha’s Vineyard on a family vacation. They fell in love with the Island, returning every summer to Lambert’s Cove and becoming homeowners in 1997. She always said she was happiest when on the Island.

Cathy was a warm and outgoing person who easily became longstanding friends with many Vineyarders. She loved greeting her friends each summer at the farmers’ market, galleries, and especially Glenn and Sandy at John and Debbie’s at Blackwater farm. She cherished sharing Vineyard time with Donna Bozzuto and her family, especially when visiting the llamas. Even though the family had moved back to Louisville in 1991, they continued to come to the Vineyard every summer.

Her passion for social justice advocacy led to her longstanding involvement in national mental health outreach, in later years as a member of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Alliance. In the 2000’s, she was a co-creator of the Elsa Barton Essay Award, a national APA Alliance-sponsored competition for high school students established following the Columbine shootings, themed “When Not to Keep a Secret.”

During her years in APA Alliance leadership, she organized national and international lectures, workshops and symposia to educate psychiatrists regarding the impact of adverse social determinants of mental health. The 2005, American Psychiatric Association Special Presidential Commendation was among her numerous recognitions and awards for her Alliance work.

She was a board member of the Louisville Visual Arts Association where she regularly exhibited her own art at their annual exhibitions, and of The Temple in Louisville where she chaired the art committee.

All who knew her experienced her humility, warmth and her nurturing and empathic nature. Even after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in her later years, she always kept her positivity.

Cathy was an artist who approached her endeavors with curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm, and wanted to inspire the same in others. When the pandemic and her health limited travel and other activities outside the home, she found other ways to stay closely connected and to share her love with family and friends. She had a knack for making written communications feel like a conversation.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Allan, her children Ilana (Jeri), David (Iona), and Sarah (Kyle), her sister Susan Hendley (Noel), her grandchildren Griffin and Ada, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the West End School for Girls in Louisville or your favorite Vineyard charity.