Originally from San Francisco, this year’s “Woman of the Year” Cathy Keiser moved to Douglas by way of Washington state eight years ago.

Woman of the Year Cathy Keiser

She came down to help care for an ailing father and eventually purchased a home.

“The strange part of that story is that I stayed here and when he felt better he moved to Prescott.”

Her mother has since joined her in Douglas, following the death of Keiser’s step-father four years ago.

Her passion since moving to Douglas has been The Gallery.

“I came into the Gallery six or seven months after I moved here and got hooked,” Keiser said.

This year she became one of the active participants in the Farmer’s Market.

“I have just fallen in love with Douglas. I love the small town feel, all of the parks, the slower pace. It reminds me of the town I grew up in.”

Keiser said she was shocked to first be nominated and win the annual award.

“I was extremely surprised. I thought someone was joking with me,” she said.

In her nomination letter, Helen Murphy says of Keiser: “The list of what Cathy does is long. It includes scheduling artist’s exhibits and assisting with setting up the art. Exhibits include some from our local schools and Cochise College. She oversees day-to-day operations such as scheduling and overseeing volunteer docents, purchasing supplies and equipment according to guidelines, arranging and overseeing maintenance and repairs, doing promotions and publicity, helping with the artists receptions, organizing craft shows and rummage sales, setting up art classes and teaching some children’s art classes as well as being a docent herself. She does some record keeping and works with city administration regarding matters pertaining to the Gallery building.

“...While Art Association officers, board members and volunteer docents are very important, Cathy has been the ‘glue that holds things together.’

“...The Gallery is an outstanding asset and resource for Douglas but it cannot exist without the Art Association and support of people like Cathy Keiser.”

Keiser will be honored on Friday, November 6 , at the Greater Douglas Chamber of Commerce banquet.