Catherine C. Roop

Catherine Cecilia (nee Camp) Roop was born on a farm September 9, 1922, in DeSoto, MO. She was the fifth child born to William Owen and Frances J. (nee Warburg) Camp. She passed away peacefully at the age of 100, April 16, 2023, at the Palmview at Gulf Coastal Village in Cape Coral, FL.
Cathy attended St. Rose of Lima school and graduated from DeSoto High School. She went on to attend Mound City Business College. Growing up, she helped with her share of tasks on the family dairy farm where they also raised chickens and cultivated gardens. Her love of gardening continued throughout her life.
After attending Mound City Business College, Cathy worked for General American Insurance Co. in St. Louis for 11 years where she became head of the Accounts Receivable department. A country girl at heart, she decided to return to DeSoto in 1951. It was then that she began working for Aubuchon Silica Mining Co. near Festus, MO, remaining with the firm through several purchases and acquisitions until it later merged with Martin Marietta Corporation. Breaking the glass ceiling, she became the first woman Plant Manager in the company history in July of 1976. Among her accomplishments was reaching the highest man-hour production rate of all mines while she was plant superintendent. She retired from Martin Marietta as plant superintendent in January 1985.
Throughout her busy career, she was active in local civic activities including the Missouri Mining Council, Jefferson Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Jefferson County Port Authority, DeSoto Railroad Employees' Memorial, and the DeSoto Chapter of Business and Professional Women's Club, where she served as president. Twice she was named the DeSoto Woman of the Year. Cathy was a woman of great faith and a life-long member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, participating in countless church activities including work for Calvary Cemetery. This faith sustained her throughout her entire life.
She is survived by her nieces, Jean (Mike) Phillips, Columbia, MO; and Joan Wandell, Fort Myers, FL; her nephew, Erick (Ruth) Camp, Seattle, WA; her daughter-in-law, Karen Roop, DeSoto; her grandchildren, Lori (Brian) McKee, Festus; Lewis (Kelly) Roop, Charles (Stephanie) Roop, DeSoto; and Jonathan (Samantha) Roop, Hillsboro; great-nieces, Ericka Camp, Laura Camp, Nikki (Rob) Englert, Brooke Shireman; great-nephews, Brian Camp, John (Karena) Camp, Don (Birgitt) Camp, and Troy Shireman; and several great-grandchildren and great-great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Lewis W. Roop; her brothers, Jack, Bob, and Owen William Camp; her sisters, Adelaide and Marion Jane Camp; her step-children, Gretchen Ray and Wade Roop; her nephew, Dennis Camp; and great-niece Cathy Holt.
As an expression of sympathy memorials may be made to Calvary Cemetery in DeSoto, MO. Photo Slideshow
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