Catherine Frost Linehan

1934 - 2021

Catherine Frost Linehan

Strafford, VT — Catherine Frost Linehan, 86, long time resident of Strafford, Vermont, died on July 11th at home, attended by her children. Kate was born in Lead, SD, the sixth of 13 children, and later lived in South Bend, IN. She attended St. Mary's College in South Bend, and it was there she met John Linehan on a blind date. They married in 1957 when he returned on leave from a Navy tour in the Philippines and celebrated 63 years of marriage before John died in February 2021.

Kate and John lived in Whitefield, NH and New Orleans, LA before settling in Strafford, where they raised their 12 children and became well-loved and active members of the town. Kate was known as a willing pair of hands for every school and town activity, preparing food for community dinners, running a strawberry waffle booth at the July 4th Town fair, and hosting a number of visiting artists, musicians and other area visitors in need of lodging. Kate was a founder and co-editor with her dear friend, Frances Wilson, of the Strafford News for many years. After handing over that role, she maintained a keen interest in the accomplishments of Strafford's residents and their children, the transfers of property and the many ways the town evolved and grew during her nearly 60 years as a resident.

Kate was interested in politics and the future of Vermont and ran for State legislature in the early 1980's; she served on the Strafford School Board and the Thetford Academy Board of Trustees, and as a Strafford Town Lister. She was active in her church and a Justice of the Peace, and enjoyed her role officiating the marriages of a number of family members and friends. She was a founder of Strafford's Neighbors Helping Neighbors. She loved Strafford and its people and loved when neighbors stopped by to talk and share a cup of coffee at her large round table.

A skilled seamstress, she enjoyed sewing costumes for the school drama performances, July 4th parades, the Christmas Revels, Summer Revels, and Button Button, and many a wedding dress. She worked as a seamstress for Pompanoosuc Mills in their start up years and did upholstery work for friends on the side.

Kate traveled widely throughout her life. The family lived in Germany from 1967-70, traveling across Europe during summer holidays, and in Anchorage, Alaska from 1984-87. She and John traveled to Nepal, Indonesia, Venezuela, Hong Kong and across the US many times to visit their children and to attend the births of grandchildren. In June 2021, Kate travelled to Colorado at attend a family reunion and post-pandemic celebration with nearly all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kate was devoted to her family and was an esteemed role model and a beloved mother and grandmother. She and John opened their home and hearts to a number of younger people who became extended members of the family. Kate is survived by her children Michael (Jean Essex) of Norwich, VT, Gabriel (Tina Olson) of Carbondale, CO, Mary (Mark Black) of South Strafford, VT, Raphael of Essex Junction, VT, Joseph (Jean Salisbury) of Zeil am Main, Germany, Peter (Louise Barnes) of San Francisco, CA, Therese of Strafford, Kathleen (Christian Hager) of Washington DC, Siobhan (Eric Lopez) of Strafford, Bridget of Norwich, VT, Jeremiah (Hilary) of Strafford, Ben (Anne) of Tunbridge, VT, 31 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Margaret Brady, of Woodstock, VT, and her siblings Frank, Mary, Tom, Mike Frost, and Bonnie Madden. Her children are grateful to the people of Strafford for their kindness and support during recent years of infirmity.

A funeral Mass will be held in the Chapel of Our Lady of Light in South Strafford on Thursday, July 15, at 4:00 pm, later followed by a celebration of Kate's and John's lives at the Strafford Town House at 7:00 pm.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Knight Funeral Home, White River Junction, VT, www.knightfuneralhomes.com