Smith, Catherine C.

Description

Catherine Smith Holcombe

Catherine Capel Smith was born on November 24, 1920, in New Rochelle, New York, to Frank Marcella Homewood Capel, age 29, and Charles Christopher Smith. She had one brother and in Rye her family lived on King Street. Catherine was a graduate of the Shipley School and of Bryn Mawr College, class of 1942. In 1943, she received her degree in Meteorology at New York University.

Catherine enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was commissioned an ensign in the U, S. Naval Reserve Aug. 24, 1943 and was signed to active duty in the WAVES after training at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School (Women’s Reserve), Northampton, Mass. She was then stationed at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., Service Number 733 39 28.

During World War II, WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) served as meteorologists and Aerographer’s Mates at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL, analyzing data, launching weather balloons, and aiding flight training. They played a critical role in forecasting for pilot training and, in 1944, operated simulators testing students on varied weather conditions.

She married Capt. Shepherd Monson Holcombe August 24,1945 at her parents home in Port Chester New York. The Rev. Stanley S. Kilbourne of Port Chester, officiated and a small reception followed.

Soon after the newlyweds received their discharges from service and moved to Hartford, CT. They had three children and Catherine was a fulltime mother and housewife.

She will be remembered for her unconditional love, generosity, and kindness, for her unpretentious humor and down-to-earthiness, for her wisdom and natural dignity, her courage and brightness.

Catherine S. Holcombe, 72, of West Hartford, died September 6, 1993 at Hartford Hospital.

At the time of her death, she was survived by her son, Shepherd M. Holcombe, Jr. of West Hartford; two daughters, Anne S. Holcombe of Hebron, and Emily G. Holcombe of Stanford; her brother, Charles C. Smith of Greenwich.