Catherine Jane MacKay was born February 24, 1871, in Ontario, Canada. Dean MacKay's early education ended at age 16, when her mother died. At that time, she took on a mothering role for her large family. MacKay went back to school and received her Master's degree (1905) from the Drexel Institute in Boston. After school, she went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to teach at the Young Women's Christian Association. She then became supervisor of Domestic Science for the public schools in Winnipeg, Canada. MacKay came to Iowa State College (University) in 1911, as an assistant to Virgilia Purmort, who was head of the Domestic Science department at the time. In 1912, MacKay was named head of Domestic Science. In 1913, the department was renamed the Division of Home Economics, with MacKay named dean - making MacKay the first dean of the Home Economics Department.



Under MacKay's leadership, student enrollment, and faculty and staff increased for the Division of Home Economics and Extension Service. "Practice houses" were put into use, simulating real-life situations for students.



Dean MacKay was a consultant for the New Housekeeping department of the Ladies Home Journal. She was a member of the Iowa Equal Suffrage Association, Phi Kappa Phi, Theta Sigma Phi, Delta Delta Delta, and Omicron Nu. Dean MacKay received many honors as well. In 1916, MacKay was elected president of the American Home Economics Association. The Drexel Institute awarded her an honorary Master's degree (1917). She also worked with the United States Food and Drug Administration, and was chairperson of the Women's Committee of the Iowa State Council of Defense.



Dean MacKay died at her brother's home in Canada in 1921.