Catherine S. Gross, 92, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2016 at her home in Portsmouth, surrounded by her family. Catherine was born in Lancaster, PA to the late William H. Smith and Edna Gibson Daily. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings William H. Smith, Jr., Ethel J. Smith, and David Smith. She is survived by her sister Lois S. Jones.
She is predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, John H. Gross. She is survived by her 3 children, J. Stephen Gross, his wife Trudy, Kathleen L. Gross, and Joan E. Baum, and her husband Steven. She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren, Karen R. Anderson, and her husband Josh, Nancy C. Fabian, Kevin R. Baum, and his wife Elizabeth, and David H. Baum, and his wife Mary Margaret. She is survived by her 5 great-grandchildren Carter and Ava Baum, J. Henry Baum, Courtney Fabian, and Rylee Anderson. She leaves behind numerous other family members and friends.
Catherine graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1941 in Lancaster, PA, and briefly worked for Hamilton Watch and as a telephone operator before meeting the love of her life on a blind date and marrying in 1943. She served 26 years in the Civil Service as a purchasing agent at the Naval Amphibious Base Norfolk. She was a member of the Naval Officer's Wives Club and the Cape Henry Woman's Club in Virginia Beach. In her retirement she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband and spending time with her beloved family.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 1 P.M, February 22, 2016 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 518 High St., Portsmouth, VA 23704. The family will receive friends preceding the service. An interment will be held in Lancaster, PA at a later date.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Catherine's longtime friend and companion, Cindy
Snyder, caregivers: Nancy, MaryAnn, Amanda, Logan and Ashlyn and to Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater for their care and support. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.