We are deeply saddened to share the news that our beloved sales director, Cathleen “Cat” Criswell, has passed away at her home.
Cat was an indispensable pillar of the St. Louis media landscape. She dedicated two decades of her career to the Riverfront Times, serving from 2004 until the publication’s sale in 2024. During her remarkable tenure, she brought the community together by organizing massive, highly successful signature events, including United We Brunch.
When the RFT launched Out In STL in 2017, Cat championing its success became a top priority. While she did not identify as LGBTQ, she was an fiercely loyal and deeply embedded part of the community, famously adopting Just John as her home bar and volunteering with Pride organizations.
When Out In STL transitioned to an independent publication in early 2025, Cat generously stepped up to serve as sales director once again—even refusing to take a paycheck until all of the publication’s bills were paid. In June, we proudly honored her with a Founder Award to celebrate her unwavering dedication since our inception.
Cat’s warmth, generosity, and community spirit will be profoundly missed. Memorial details will be shared as they become available.
