Augusta - Catherine Ann "Cookie" Ladd, 85, passed away at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta on August 25, 2025. She was born in Gardiner, Maine on July 3, 1940, to Dominic and Evelyn (Ogden) Verile. Catherine met Chester "Chet" Ladd in 1957, and they married on June 21, 1958, and spent 67 wonderful years together. Catherine graduated from Cony High School. Following high school, she became a licensed cosmetologist along with many other managerial positions she held before enlisting in the Maine Army National Guard in 1975. After 12 years, and attaining Sergeant First Class rank, she retired from the National Guard and then worked for many years at Augusta Fuel as a credit manager. Catherine and Chet moved to Florida after retirement and lived as "snowbirds" for 12 years before returning home to Maine. During their time in Florida, they enjoyed visits from family, and most times you could find them golfing or at any of the local flea markets as well as spending time at Sebring International Raceway. Catherine loved her animals and deeply enjoyed time spent with her family as well as her Eastern Star family where she held many roles including Martha, Grand Martha, and Worthy Matron. She was very artistic and taught ceramics for many years. She also enjoyed tole painting and many of her pieces were ribbon winning. She was a voracious reader, and any free time she had you would find her buried in a book. She is survived by her husband Chester "Chet" Ladd, her daughter Sheryl Larrabee and her husband Michael of Augusta; her granddaughter, Crystal Martz, her great grandchildren, Madison, Alex, Zack and Natalie Martz of Searsmont; her sisters Ruth Marquis of Presque Isle, and Gail and her husband Tete Malcolm of Pittston, as well as many nieces, nephews and close friends. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother John Verile, and her grandson Justin Larrabee. Per Catherine's request, there will not be any services at this time. She will be interned at Maine Veterans Cemetery, 129 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church Street, Augusta, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home website, www.khrfuneralhomes.com.