Obituary for Catherine Caspole
Catherine (Cathy) Pendleton Caspole died January 6, 2021. She was born in Roanoke, VA on February 4, 1937 and grew up in Wytheville, VA. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, she began teaching at the Quantico Marine Base where she met Ralph Caspole, USMC, a pilot in the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. They married August 26,1963. Ralph transitioned to flying jets and was assigned to a squadron in Vietnam where he was killed during an air strike on June 3, 1966. After her husband’s death, Catherine earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science at Syracuse University and returned to Quantico as a school librarian. She developed a library so creative and innovative that First Lady Barbara Bush visited to promote children’s reading. Upon retirement, Catherine relocated to Roanoke to be closer to her family.
Catherine was outgoing and enjoyed many friendships. An accomplished equestrian, she and her horse Therapy won numerous awards performing Dressage. She enjoyed traveling, skiing and knitting hats for premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Roanoke Women’s Foundation and volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop.
Possessing a strong faith, Catherine was active throughout her life in the Episcopal Church. She completed a four-year curriculum in Education for Ministry through the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Her faith helped her through a series of severe medical problems and enabled her to face them with courage and resilience.
Catherine was predeceased by her mother and father, Amelia Deekens and Edmund Pendleton, and her younger brothers Felton and Frank. She is survived by her brothers and sisters- in- law, Edmund and Beth Pendleton of Wytheville, John and Jill Pendleton of Roanoke, Edwin and Deborah Donnelly of Falmouth, Massachusetts, and John Caspole of Granville, Ohio as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be buried with Ralph at a future date in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Wytheville or St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke. Arrangements are being handled by Oakey’s Funeral Home.
Catherine was outgoing and enjoyed many friendships. An accomplished equestrian, she and her horse Therapy won numerous awards performing Dressage. She enjoyed traveling, skiing and knitting hats for premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Roanoke Women’s Foundation and volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop.
Possessing a strong faith, Catherine was active throughout her life in the Episcopal Church. She completed a four-year curriculum in Education for Ministry through the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Her faith helped her through a series of severe medical problems and enabled her to face them with courage and resilience.
Catherine was predeceased by her mother and father, Amelia Deekens and Edmund Pendleton, and her younger brothers Felton and Frank. She is survived by her brothers and sisters- in- law, Edmund and Beth Pendleton of Wytheville, John and Jill Pendleton of Roanoke, Edwin and Deborah Donnelly of Falmouth, Massachusetts, and John Caspole of Granville, Ohio as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be buried with Ralph at a future date in Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Wytheville or St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke. Arrangements are being handled by Oakey’s Funeral Home.