On October 12th, 2023, Catherine “Cathy” John, 79, passed away surrounded by her family. Cathy was born November 17,
1943, in Pittsburgh, PA and was the daughter of the late Henry “Hank” Dapper and Rita A. Gringere. In addition to her parents,
Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony “Tony” John, infant son Christopher Michael John, son-in-law Lewis
Lindner and brother Joseph “Joe” Dapper. She is survived by her five children, Rita Lindner, Carla Reynard, Donna (Jeff)
Baumgartner, Tony (April) John and Linda John; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and siblings Gene Dapper, Henry
Dapper and Tina Sayti.
Cathy’s passion was sewing. She was well known as an excellent seamstress; she created many wedding dresses, all types of
clothing and performed countless alterations. She was actively involved with The Angel Gown Program, making countless
burial gowns from donated wedding dresses, to honor babies lost by their families. During COVID, Cathy made and gifted
hundreds of masks to family, friends and strangers.
Cathy loved the Lord and was an active member of Virginia Hills Church in Woodstock and led a weekly Bible study with former
members of Master’s Touch Ministries in Strasburg. She served Woodstock Moose Lodge 575 for many years as a Guide,
Chaplain, Junior Regent, Senior Regent and Recorder; and received her Cap & Gown in Chicago in 1988. She volunteered at the
Shenandoah Community Health Clinic and the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
After a 20+ year career at the Shenandoah Valley-Herald, Cathy remained close with the friends she made along the way. She
was always up for adventure and never passed up an opportunity to attend an event or travel, if able.
Cathy touched so many people and did so many great things throughout her life, it is difficult to minimize in one brief
newspaper clip.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 11:30am on Saturday, November 18th at Woodstock Moose Lodge 575 located at 152
Moose Road.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Shenandoah Community Health Clinic in her memory at 124
Valley Vista Drive, Woodstock, VA 22664.