Catherine E. Howe

Catherine Elaine Howe (Crandall) passed away at Durgin Pines in Kittery, Maine on April 11, 2022. She had been surrounded by her family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren, all the days and hours preceding her final moments before being released to God’s hands.

Catherine was born on August 19, 1942, in Worcester, Massachusetts and lived most of her young and teenage years in Northborough, MA. She was the oldest of four children of Frederick and Hazel Crandall (Thorpe). She was a member of Rainbow (IORG) where she rose to the position of “Worthy Advisor”. She attended Algonquin High School and graduated in 1960. She met the love of her life Bradford Smith Howe in 1959 when she was 17 and they soon married in September of 1960. The couple had three children, Roger, Sharon, and Jennifer, and lived on Sunset Drive in Northborough until Brad was transferred to Pennsylvania in 1966.

Cathy, as she was known, finally got her driver’s license in PA at age 28! This gave her opportunities to meet new people and transport the children as they got older with all their numerous sports and activities. In 1972 the family moved to a new home in West Chester and in 1973 a fourth child, Scott, soon arrived. Cathy was a dedicated, loyal, and loving wife, mother, and friend. She was a great cook and exceptional baker making wonderful holiday treats and amazing birthday cakes for her family. She enjoyed camping for 43 years and she and Brad owned numerous trailers, motor homes, and even a few truck campers! She loved sewing, knitting, and crocheting, and was very, very good at it. She made clothes for the kids (especially beautiful dresses and pants for the girls), knitted hats, sweaters, and gloves for not only her children but the many grandchildren that were to come along. She was also very active in her church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where she faithfully served on the Altar Guild for many years.

In 1981 the family moved again but this time back to New England, to Hampton, NH. In 1991 Cathy attended the Portsmouth Beauty School and received her hairdresser’s license. Shortly thereafter she ran her own business for a time and did hairstyling and cuts for seniors and shut ins. There were several moves after to Stratham, Rochester, and the couple settled finally in Kittery, ME.

Cathy will always be remembered for her humor, friendly manner, and kindness. There wasn’t an evil bone or thought in her body and her family and friends will miss her dearly.

Catherine is survived by her husband Bradford of 61 ½ years, son Roger Howe and his wife Christina of Bedford, NH, daughter Sharon Orr of Eliot, ME, daughter Jen Foye and her husband Jim of Eliot, ME, and son Scott Howe of Exeter, NH. The next generation includes her grandson Andrew Howe and his wife Jamie of Manchester, NH, granddaughter Rebecca Hunt and her husband Joel of Claremont, NH, grandson Mathew Howe and his partner Kyra Burns of Concord, NH, grandson Brandon Howe and his partner Elizabeth Keenan of Rye, NH, granddaughter Jordan Howe of Boston, MA, grandson Bryan Orr and his wife Heather of South Portland, ME, granddaughter Heather Orr of Quincy, MA, granddaughter Sarah Orr and her partner George Mortimer of Kittery, ME, granddaughter Jessica Foye and her partner Ryan Stacy of Kittery, ME, grandson Nicholas Foye of North Hollywood, CA, granddaughter Saskia Howe of Amesbury, MA and granddaughter Sophia Howe of London, England. She is pre-deceased by grandson Luke David Robert Howe. The third generation includes six great-grandchildren, Breyah, Jaden, Ethan, Bentley, Riddick, and Pollyanna. Catherine is also survived by her sister Judith Miller and her husband Jim of Greer, SC, brother James Crandall and his wife Carolyn of Bluefield, WV and Jane Barraford and her husband Tom of Bellingham, MA. There will be a celebration of Catherine’s life at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH on April 23, at 11AM.

There will be a celebration of Catherine’s life at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH on April 23, at 11AM. A reception for family and friends will be held afterward.  In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the American Cancer Society by clicking on the following link: https://support.conquer.org/page/57038/donate/1?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campai