Nevada Nurses Foundation

Cathy Dinauer Excellence in Nursing Leadership Scholarship

Sponsored by Cathy's Family, Friends, & Associates

Catherine Frances Dinauer, lovingly known as Cathy, passed away in Carson City, Nevada, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the age of 69. Born on November 22, 1956, Cathy dedicated her life to caring for others and to upholding the highest standards in the nursing profession.

Cathy was raised in Southern California. Cathy graduated from the California Hospital School of Nursing in 1980, beginning a career marked by compassion, leadership, and an unwavering sense of duty. She started her nursing journey in the fast-paced emergency rooms of Los Angeles, where her steady presence and dedication were immediately evident.

In 1993, Cathy moved to Carson City, Nevada, a place that became her long-term home and the heart of her professional legacy. She devoted more than two decades to Carson Tahoe Medical Center, touching countless lives through her commitment to patient care, mentorship, and excellence.

Cathy later joined the Nevada State Board of Nursing, where her expertise and integrity made a profound impact. In 2016, she became the Executive Director of the Board, leading with kindness, clarity, and conviction. She guided the Board with an unwavering dedication to its mission of "protecting the public's health, safety and welfare through effective nursing regulation", a principle she championed every day.

Cathy is survived by her daughter Katie, her son-in-law Chris, and her sister Jacqueline. Among all her accomplishments, Cathy was most proud of being a mom. She poured her heart into her family, extended family and friends and her love for them was the foundation of her life.

Beyond her professional life, Cathy found joy outdoors and spent many weekends hiking in Lake Tahoe and surrounding areas. She loved a good movie, a shopping trip and an occasional trip to France to keep in touch with extended family; she never could pass up a good French macaron. Cathy will be remembered for her gentle strength, her generosity of spirit, and the deep respect she held for both the nursing profession and the patients it serves.

Her legacy lives on in the countless nurses she supported, the community she helped protect, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

$3,760 has been received for this fund so far.

The Nevada Nurses Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Foundation, EIN 47-1388572. Your donation may be tax deductible; please consult your financial advisor.

    (a PayPal account is not required to donate)

If you prefer to pay by check, please make your check payable to "Nevada Nurses Foundation" with the notation "Cathy Dinauer Legacy Scholarship" on the memo line, and send it to:

Nevada Nurses Foundation
P.O. Box 34047
Reno, Nevada 89533