July 2, 1960 – February 17, 2022
After growing up in Colorado Springs, Catherine went on to earn a B.A. in Architecture and a B.A. in Environmental Design from the University of Kansas in 1983. She worked as an architect in Maryland and Washington D.C. and held several positions over 13 years at the University of Maryland, College Park.
In 1999, Catherine moved to Oklahoma and became a preservation architect with the State Historic Preservation Office. She would later become the Director of Construction and Maintenance for the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Outreach Division, where she oversaw protecting, preserving, and improving historic structures in Oklahoma. She was responsible for the upkeep of thirty-one museums, military sites, historic homes, and affiliate sites across Oklahoma.
In 2009, Catherine started her own firm – Preservation and Design Studio. The studio is made up of a talented team of architects and historians and provides services including zoning, design, historic preservation review board representation, and more.
Catherine was an active member of the American Institute of Architects and served on multiple boards for architectural organizations in Oklahoma, including the Gibbs College Architecture Professional Advisory Board at the University of Oklahoma.
Gibbs College Dean Hans Butzer said, “Catherine served our students through her Gibbs College professional advisory board work. She advocated for the celebration and preservation of historic structures across our State. Most importantly, Catherine advocated for the countless communities whose identities are so deeply connected to and shaped by those historic structures.”
Catherine also had a lifetime involvement in charitable efforts, including St. Baldrick’s Day and volunteering at the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Her hobbies included photography, beads, travel, and family genealogy.
She is survived by her husband Alexander Montgomery, daughters Caitlin and Faith, stepson Edward, siblings Robin, Michaela, Sharon, and Zachary, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Featured Image courtesy of The Oklahoman, 2008
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
