Cathy Darlene Sink

Cathy Darlene Sink passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 5th at Duke University Hospital in Durham. Born in Winston Salem, N.C., on May 31st, 1961 Cathy was the daughter of the late Charles Wesley Blankenship and Nannie Lou Doub Blankenship.

Cathy was raised in Woodleaf, N.C. and graduated from West Rowan High School. Early in her career she worked at the Garden Green House in Salisbury. Later, Cathy would accept a position at Duke Power's Buck Steam Station as the first female to work in the operations and coal handling divisions. Cathy was the feature of a front-page Salisbury Post news article highlighting this achievement along with the strength and courage embodied by trailblazing women. Cathy finished her career with Duke Energy at Marshall Steam Station. Cathy was also a volunteer firefighter for the Scotch Irish Fire Department in Woodleaf during the 1990's and worked to become EMT certified.

Cathy was known for her vivacious and energetic personality. Though faced with years of declining health, Cathy never wavered in her passion for life. She was the life of the party when she arrived and the probably the reason for the party starting in the first place. Her true joy in life was her animals. Cathy loved her horses, dogs, and any other 4-legged critter that might find its way into her heart, and eventually her home. A passionate equestrian from childhood, Cathy is also preceded in death by her horse Tadj. She believed that she felt God's presence most clearly when she was on the back of a horse, in the middle of the woods. She is also preceded in death by her beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Sissie.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Brian Sink, daughter Starla Rogers (Brandon), stepdaughter Nikki Carpenter, two grandchildren Kensie and Haley, brothers Danny Blankenship (Rebecca) and Calvin Blankenship, as well as a countless number of family and friends.

At Cathy's request, the family will not hold a funeral service and in lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at: www.woundedwarrierproject.org. Instead, her family asks you to consider honoring Cathy and her memory in these ways: Listen to the song "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas. She felt that this song was fitting for her life. Consider starting a conversation with a stranger, talk their ear off, make them laugh, and brighten their day. Give what you are able because you'd be surprised how something small can mean so much. Rescue an animal, bring it home, put it in a dress, and don't let anyone tell you that only certain mammals can be "house pets." Finally, live life fully without reservations, hesitations, and fear- especially when the road is difficult. Cathy, a true cowgirl, firmly believed that you should get back in the saddle and never give up. In doing these things, you celebrate and honor Cathy. Welcome home, Cathy. Ride, baby. Ride.