Catherine G. Poole

Catherine Lenora Grennon Poole was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1923 to William Joseph and Lenora Garrits Grennon in Gretna, Louisiana.  She grew up with her brother William Joseph Grennon, Jr and sister Dorothy May Grennon.  When she was in eighth grade (and during the depths of the great depression) her father moved to Washington DC because he heard of jobs for bookbinders at the Government Printing Office.  They lived in the Brookland Area of NE Washington DC where she attended Taft Jr High and McKinley Tech High School.  Upon graduating she worked at Winthrop’s Jewelry Store and later as a secretary for the War Department.  After the war she married Jesse A. Poole, Jr. whom she had met in high school.  They moved into an apartment on Minnesota Ave where in April 1949 they had their first child, Jesse A Poole, III.  Two years later they moved into a two-story home in Cheverly MD. In Aug 1951 they had their second child, Beverly Ann Poole. Catherine and Jesse were very active in the community during the years the children were growing up.  She participated in civic activities with the Town of Cheverly, and St. Ambrose Catholic Church.  She participated in the Parent Teachers Associations at Happy Acres Elementary School, Bladensburg Jr and Sr High Schools and then at the State level where she was made an honorary life member. In 1994 they moved to a single-story home in Waldorf MD. where she was again active in civic activities and worked closely with the Springhaven Woods Home Owners Association.  She lived there with Jesse until health issues caused them to move to Woodward Retirement Community in Bowie, MD. Her husband, Jesse, passed away in 2010.  Catherine lived her remaining days at Woodward. Catherine would want to be remembered for her cooking and parties.  She learned southern cooking from her mother and was proud to serve her flavorful dishes.  She hosted parties on many occasions for family and friends.  New Year’s Eve was always a big family party that started early in the evening and ended with fireworks and champagne. Parties could be expected for family birthdays, anniversaries or any special occasion, and there was always a summer cook out. Whenever someone in the family needed help, they knew they could call on Catherine.  That helpful attitude which often included her cooking meals will be the legacy she leaves behind and the memory that we hold dear.