Catherine L. Harper

HARPER Catherine L. Harper, 61, died March 14, 2011 in Nellysford, VA, at home after a brief battle with cancer. Cathy was born August 23, 1949 in Dayton, OH. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, 1971, and from Cleveland State University with a Master's in Public Administration. She worked as a lobbyist for the Ohio Council of Churches, as legislative aide to former Ohio Senator Marigene Valiquette (D-Toledo) and as both Ohio and Washington, D.C. legislative aide to former U.S. Representative Edward Feighan. Cathy was instrumental, as Sen. Valiquette's aide, in helping Ohio pass the Equal Rights Amendment in 1974. After leaving the political realm, she worked as co-owner of Hill Farm Inn, Arlington VT, at Stratton Mountain, VT and most recently at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia. Cathy was preceded in death by mother Donna Allison Harper and brother Thomas Harper. She is survived by her partner of 26 years, Pam Glendinning of Nellysford, VA; her father, Nelson N. (Mary) Harper; sister, Donice Wooster (Burdette Green); brother, Nelson O. Harper (Nolan Long), all of Columbus; Pam's daughter, Kristen Simonetti of Manchester, VT and granddaughters, Lydia and Hanna Simonetti; nephews, Rev. Matthew (Betsy) Wooster of Hudson, OH, David Wooster (Audrey Larrimer) of Athens, OH and James Wooster of Elkton, MD. Donations in Cathy's memory may be made to Women for Women International (www.womenforwomen.org) or Heifer International (www.heifer.org) at her request. The CREMATION SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held in Columbus at a later date.