Catherine (Cathy) and George Needhammer of Laramie passed away two months and 15 days apart. Cathy, born in McSherrystown, PA to the late Ida and Granville Inskip, passed away at age 88 on February 6, 2017. George, born in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Horace and Hazel Needhammer, passed away at age 91 on April 21, 2017. Cathy and George celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in September 2016. They often mentioned their favorite Bible verse, “…for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth 1:16
Cathy left her family farm and headed off to Philadelphia to attend Temple University. It was in Philadelphia that she eventually met George while working at Bell of Pennsylvania, from where they eventually retired and enjoyed 33 years of retirement together. After traveling to all fifty states, an accomplishment that they took great pride in, they chose Laramie as their retirement home because of the friendly people and the relationships that they had developed over the years. Their interests were varied. Cathy enjoyed traveling, cooking and sewing, was a cheerful, loving wife and mother, a good listener and a joy to her family and community. George was a WWII combat infantry veteran in Gen-Patton’s 3rd Army who always credited his safe return home from the war to his Bible that he carried every day. He was a lifetime Phillies fan, a great handyman who liked to help his neighbors, an accomplished marksman and hunter, and a member of the Freemasons since 1955. Many years were spent as a volunteer to the Marple Township Ambulance Corps, the Broomall Fire Department and the National Ski Patrol.
Cathy and George are survived by children, Betty (Frank) Grabusky, Las Cruces, NM and Robert (Irina) Needhammer Laramie, WY along with their only grand daughter, Krista (Ben DeGaetano) Freibaum Lancaster, PA.
A Celebration of Life for George and Cathy will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, June 11 at the United Presbyterian Church of Laramie with Pastor Jason Harshberger officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Bob - It was truly a pleasure to know your parents. Your mom was always so warm to us and the kids. Your dad had THE best giggle when he was pleased. We'll miss seeing them at church. Know we carry you in our prayers in these hard days.