A TRIBUTE TO CATHY LADUKE

A Tribute to Cathy ”La”LaDuke

We asked alumnae, friends, and members of the Chatham Hall community to send us their fond memories of La.

Christine Leak ’22 I met La almost 11 years ago in 2011. Somewhere in those 11 years, she coined the phrase “Team Leak” because on Family Days my family of six would always travel in a big pack. Whenever she saw us she would say “Team Leak!” Since then, La has been a part of some of my family’s major events. She was my older sister’s Advisor, celebrated two high school graduations with us, and just six months ago attended my oldest sister’s wedding. I am eternally grateful for the memories I do have with La, such as when she handed me my Purple Legacy Gift Bag and said “Welcome to Chatham Hall,” or when she drove me and Amy to Starbucks and then drove us around Danville showing us her favorite places, or my favorite memory when she sized me for my class ring that I had been waiting for for over a decade. What I love most about this memory is that I will always be able to look at my ring and think of her. Top and bottom: Sophie Leak ’23, Christine Leak ’22, Amy Leak ’20, Katherine Leak ’15, Cathy LaDuke Erin McHugh, Faculty Member La’s last surprise birthday party in Willis back in September! Faculty members Martha Griswold, Shep Morrison, Erin McHugh,and Cathy LaDuke.

Wynne Overton, Faculty Member This photo was taken March 10, 2020 at the last soccer game before students left on Spring Break and COVID changed everything. Even though we had a tiny inkling of what was ahead, we had a fun and carefree afternoon cheering on the Turtles! Cathy LaDuke, Joan Walden Barnhardt, Bubba Overton, Violet Overton, and Wynne Overton

Danielle Thomas Kimmel ’04 Memories of La are so interwoven with my time at Chatham that it is hard to pick! But the moments that stand out the most are the Saturday mornings when we would sit with La in Yardley and talk so long that we would still be there talking when lunch was served. Adair Hendrickson Ravencraft ‘02, Kimberly Daniels Taws ‘02, Cathy LaDuke, Michelle Thomas Supko ‘02 and Danielle Thomas Kimmel ‘04

Molly Thomas, Faculty Member Cathy LaDuke was a supporter of the Robotics team from the beginning, 11 years ago when the team started. She would come by the robotics room and check on our progress. As well as interest and support, La would take and post photos of our robot. She came by early this year and posted several times on Twitter about our progress. In her memory, the team named the 2021-22 robot La. The 2021-2022 robotics team. Kim Jackson, Faculty Member La and I lived next door to each other for 19 years. In that time, we became very close friends. When La died, my mother said to my father, “Kim and La took care of each other. They trusted each other.” I will always miss our marathon conversations. We would see each other in our carport or laundry room and then spend the next three hours talking - no exaggeration. We always had a lot to share with each other.

Jennifer Denny P’21, ’25 My favorite memories of La are related to sports. La knew our family loved sports and starting freshman year, she would text us videos of Emma playing for all the sporting events we could not attend. If Emma made a basket, I got to see it through La’s texts. When soccer season rolled around I knew I would either get texts or, if we could attend, La would be holding court on her bench at the top of the field. Her kindness to our family, in the gym and on and off the field, and her love and care of our daughters are memories we will treasure.

Bell Johnson ’12 There is no Chatham Hall without La. I came to Chatham as a freshman, excited for all the new opportunities I could explore. I left Chatham a young woman, still excited for all the new opportunities I could explore and yet better prepared for the future. La was a constant throughout my four years. She guided and mentored me on the field hockey field, in the classroom, and beyond. I’ll be forever grateful for having known her. Chatham will not be the same without her.

Jane Allen ’00 Well, how do you narrow down and pick one memory that stands out when you’ve known La for over half your life? She was a coach, mentor, friend, and so much more. So outside of the dinners, movie nights, ballgames watched, trips, and more here’s one of the life lessons that stands out... It was after a field hockey game, and my parents had come up to watch. After cleaning up the field, I was talking with my mom, and of course we started discussing - okay, well arguing about - something. La drove by on the golf cart and just after she passed us she threw on the brakes, looked over her shoulder, and asked, “Do I need to put this golf cart into reverse?” And, of course, I immediately say, “No ma’am,” and then stop arguing with my mom, who also had an appreciative look on her face. So, thank you La for always looking out for me and making sure I didn’t step out of line, and I know that even as we move forward, even from heaven, she’s got that golf cart ready to go. Kimber Keating P’20, 22, 24 When I picture La in my head, I can see her smile and right hand extended for a handshake. As I do the same, her other arm comes up and we both drop the formal routine and wrap our arms around one another in the traditional hug we shared every time I came to campus. La loved our family and the Keatings loved her back. It wasn’t always that way… our girls were intimidated by the Keeper of Traditions. “You better do it right! La will be on you if you don’t!” they would tell me. When I told La our girls were nervous around her because they didn’t want to disappoint her, she laughed. The next thing I knew, I was receiving periodic emails with pictures to let me know that our girls were well and that they were in good hands. Top: La, Caroline Keating ’24, Ellery Blurton ’24, and Alexa Keating ’22; bottom: La, Maddie Keating ’20, and Alexa Keating ’22

John & Kathy Turnbull, P’07 This is a photo of Cathy LaDuke with Sandy Turnbull ’07 from October 2010 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. La traveled all the way to Troy, NY to see Sandy play field hockey for her college team. We (Sandy’s parents) were there as well, and words can’t describe how much this visit was appreciated – a very special memory for all of us. Kathy Turnbull, Cathy LaDuke, Sandy Fishburn (nee Turnbull) ’07, and John Turnbull.

Kerrington Ramsey Molhoek ’93 I’m grateful to La for teaching me not only about sports, but using them as a platform to teach me life lessons on how to lead as well as how to be a great team player. I was truly blessed by her presence in my life. Elizabeth Blocker ’92, Cathy LaDuke, Kerrington Ramsey Molhoek ’93 in 1992.

Amy Hendricks ’10 This picture was at Commencement in 2010—as I recall, one of La’s favorite days of the year. Amy Hendricks ’10, Nicole Davis ’10, and Cathy LaDuke. Gary Fountain, Rector 2003-2014 While I was at Chatham Hall, and for a few years after, my yearly gift to La was a subscription to mlb.com, so that she could watch every Red Sox game online. I also had a subscription, and La knew that every Saturday afternoon I watched the Yankees, with the sound muted, while I listened to the weekly broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera. Those afternoons, while she watched the Sox, checked on games around the league, and worked on her photography, she emailed me. “Yanks are doing well. Hope the opera is great.” “Jeter is having a bad day. Hope that the opera is better.” Back and forth we went. One Saturday afternoon last summer, seven years out from Chatham Hall, I was broadcasting live one of my programs of classical music on public radio when an email from La popped up: “Watching the Red Sox, with the sound muted. Listening to your program. Perfect day.”

Elizabeth Parr-Campola ’96, P’22 One of my favorite Chatham Hall memories includes La. Leigh Halso ’96 and I were your average Chatham girls, joking and laughing. One day we saw the industrial size vacuum on second Pruden. I hopped on the front and Leigh got behind and pushed me through the halls while we screamed and laughed. La heard us, came out of her room, and we locked eyes. I jumped off of the vacuum, Leigh and I ran into my room, and we hid in the closet. Then we heard a knock on the closet door. We were found! I opened the closet door, said, “Hello” – I still don’t know why I answered normally like she had just come to the front door! She said, “You two shouldn’t take the vacuum and ride on it. Next time, don’t do that, ok?” We escaped with a warning! In a more serious story, my daughter, Sarah ’22, had an accident on the field hockey field this fall. She tore two ligaments in her ankle and couldn’t walk. La was the coach and helped her on the field, and after Sarah went home to see an orthopedist, and came back in a walking boot, La gave her a hug and said, “I didn’t know you were going to have a boot, I’m so sorry, but we will get you back out on the field.” La passed about two weeks later. Her care and concern for Sarah, and all of the students at CH, are what we will always remember of her. Mary Katherine Evans ’03 La was a constant champion, friend, and source of support during my time at Chatham and beyond. She loved Chatham Hall fiercely, and believed strongly in its value for our lives. I feel so fortunate to have known her. What a wonderful legacy and example of love she set for all of us. Cathy LaDuke and Mary Katherine Evans ’03

Mary Giddings Dunlap ’03 I am so heartbroken grieving the loss of a dear loved one, Cathy LaDuke, lovingly known as “La” amongst our little school and Chatham Hall family. La loved and influenced hundreds of young women to be good and kind, to work hard, to laugh, to lean on other women for support. She was my coach, my Advisor and mentor, my photography teacher, a role model, but mostly, a dear friend. She loved me, but she loved ALL of us. Her warm and enveloping hugs were what I most looked forward to coming “home” to after breaks.. And I saw her give the same love and hugs to so many others. La left a small campus in a small town in Virginia, but she left an immeasurable mark on so many of our hearts. God Bless you La, and thank you. I love you. Mary Giddings Dunlap ’03 and Cathy LaDuke

Caitlyn Bishop Kroboth ’07 Whenever I was back in Chatham to visit family I always made an effort to see La. I would love her dropping by the house for a chat. I am so glad I got a chance to see her this past June; I just wish I had taken a picture! Cathy LaDuke, Betsy Kroboth, Caitlyn Kroboth ’07 in June 2018

Jane Hawthorne ’16 It’s hard to pinpoint one memory of La — she was integral to so many of my favorite experiences at Chatham. She came to every soccer game, every horse show. She stuck around in Yardley for long chats and trips to Jack’s down the road. She was part of the big things (my college decision) and the small (my first attempt at carving the Thanksgiving turkey). Even after graduating, La remained a friend and trusted mentor. It’s hard for me to imagine returning to Chatham knowing that La will not be there. La was home, and La was what made Chatham a home for me. Jane Hawthorne ’16 and La Ann O’Brien Singh ’07 At our championship field hockey games, La would encourage us to do our best and represent Chatham proudly. She would say it wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about winning or learning. That stuck with me. Thank you La for four incredible years playing field hockey with a team I will never forget.

Brett Mason P’23 Cathy was always first to greet us on Family Day. I will miss her warm greeting next year.

Sridha Chadalavada ’20 My family has known La since 2011, so when I think of Chatham Hall, I think of La. She taught me the importance of tradition, and she cared deeply about the values that make Chatham the nurturing environment that it is. La will forever live on in our hearts. We miss you La!

Whitley Younger ’24 I remember every day at field hockey, La would stand at the top of the hill watching us at the beginning. And at 4:00 on the dot, if we were running, you were sure to hear “it’s four o’clock, you better start running!” It became part of the daily routine.

Celebration of Life for Cathy “La” LaDuke