Catharine Parker Pepe

Catharine (Parker) Pepe died peacefully in her home in Virginia Beach, VA on December 23, 2025, in the company of family following a long-standing battle with Parkinson's disease. Cathy is survived by her husband of 59 years, Gerald. She is also survived by her two sons, Michael (Denver, CO) and Robert (Dallas, TX), and their spouses, Alicia and Josie. Her three siblings - David Parker (Sandra; Lee, MA), Valerie Morgan (Cotuit, MA), and Florence Peltier (West Springfield, MA) - also survive her, along with her three grandchildren, Willow, George, and Louisa.
Born in Bangor, Maine on August 15, 1944, Cathy matriculated in schools in her hometown of Lee, MA, and later studied music and flute performance at the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA (1965). Married on September 10, 1966 she dedicated her life and work to support her husband, raise their two sons, and create a loving family. She loved to listen to all forms of music and enjoyed playing her piano.
Cathy loved to garden and enjoyed her plants, especially African violets, and her yard was always full of flowers and shrubs which she planted and nurtured meticulously. She was always enthusiastic about her plants, and her many friends frequently asked for cuttings, which she was delighted to give. Cathy was very generous and always worked to help her family and friends, and was a great listener and advocate. Cathy also received special recognition for her multiple platelet donations.
Cathy had a wonderful sense of humor, and saw the beauty in the world. Her smile was astonishing and her affection for her family unmatched. She also loved animals and served as a volunteer puppy raiser/trainer for Guiding Eyes for the Blind for many years, and rescued two wonderful dogs to whom she devoted her time and energy. Cathy also loved to read and worked as a volunteer and then as a librarian for the Virginia Beach Public Library, spending several years at the Kempsville branch.
She spent the last few years in the assisted living program at Harbor's Edge in Norfolk, VA, where she interacted with her fellow residents and brought joy to their world through listening and offering compassionate assistance.
Cathy will always be remembered for her compassion and dedication to her family and friends, her humility and steadfastness in doing what was right, and standing up for her children and loved ones. She was multi-talented and creative and used her talents not for herself but for the people she loved, especially her husband, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Her imprint on her family will live on forever. Simply put, she was precious and sensitive and will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Lynnhaven Chapel, Virginia Beach, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation and the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation.