Catherine Wilkinson MacGregor

Catherine Wilkinson MacGregor, (95), passed away on September 14, 2016, in Gloucester, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Dr. John B. MacGregor, Rear Admiral (Retired), Medical Corps, United States Navy, of Afton, VA; her parents, Frank & Catherine Wilkinson of Jacksonville, FL; her brother, Frank Wilkinson of Clearwater, FL; and her long-time friend and neighbor, Robert Thomson of Charlottesville, VA. She is survived by her three children: Catherine Wynne MacGregor Beale and her husband, Richard, of Cardinal, VA; Susan MacGregor Coughlin and John Lauber of Vaughn, WA; and John (Jack) Burton MacGregor, Jr. and his wife, Sally, of Poolesville, MD. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Richard M. Beale, R. Andrew Beale, Courtney M. Coder, and Megan M. Dry and seven great-grandchildren, Ryan Jon Beale, Zachary Cole Beale, Lauren Marie Delwiche, Logan Douglas Beale, Ethan MacGregor Beale, Emersyn Adele Coder, and Charlotte Catherine Coder.
Catherine was born in Jacksonville, FL, on August 14, 1921, married into the Navy and lived in many different Navy communities, including duty stations in Florida; Pennsylvania; Maryland; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and Massachusetts, finally ending up in retirement in Bethesda, MD, and South Bethany Beach, DE. In 1992, she and her husband moved to The Colonnades, a retirement community in Charlottesville, VA. While there, she was active in volunteer work at The Colonnades, in her church, Olivet Presbyterian Church, and in some local charitable organizations. She was an avid duplicate bridge player and loved to sew and work in her garden. Following a stroke in 2013, she moved to Gloucester, VA, to be near her daughter Wynne and became a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gloucester. Catherine lived at Riverside Sanders-Heron Cove where her care was provided by caring and dedicated staff members for three years. Catherine was a strong, yet gracious, woman who met obstacles in her life with much grace and dignity. She will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church-Gloucester will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. and interment at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her late husband will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations or to a charity of your choice:
Riverside Sanders Heron Cove Staff Educational Fund
ATTN: Julie Y. Bayly, Administrator
7385 Walker Ave.
Gloucester, VA 23061
Olivet Presbyterian Church
2575 Garth Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
First Presbyterian Church-Gloucester
PO Box 581
Gloucester, VA 23061
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, Va. is in charge of arrangements.