Catherine Lee Savidge

The door ajar The path beyond Flower-bordered, moonswept Calls my step Into the garden Catherine Savidge passed away on September 26, 2017 after a life lived with a fierce independence of mind and spirit. She forged her own path, finding family in her church and friends in like-minded San Francisco with her Sierra Club hikes, her work as a teacher and her many interests and associations. She treasured her service during World War II. Catherine was a poet and writer. She was a woman you never forgot.

Catherine Savidge was born April 7, 1921 in Tacoma, Washington. She was the third child of Paul and Bessie Savidge. She grew up in Puget Sound with her brothers Paul Savidge Jr. and Lee Savidge. As a child Catherine idolized them both, remembering fondly a cross-country trip in the rumble seat of the family “gasbuggy” playing with Lee on the way to Paul’s graduation from the Naval Academy in 1934. Shy and a little self-conscious she developed a finely honed sense of injustice as seeds of her rebellion from family grew. She graduated from Stadium High School in 1938 and studied at Mills College, the University of Idaho, and San Francisco State.

During the Second World War Catherine followed her brothers into the Navy, finishing Officer Candidate School and Naval Air Navigation School. Ensign Savidge served as an Air Navigator, breaking ground as one of only few woman flying in a man’s war. It was a time of service, challenge and adventure that left a deep impression.

San Francisco was Catherine’s home. She moved here after the war, working at first “on Market” as a secretary. She soon became an elementary school teacher, starting in San Francisco and eventually spending many years of her career in Pacifica. After her retirement Catherine continued her education in horticulture, and could be seen in her little pickup tending to her garden clients around town. She lived in a series of modest houses throughout the city, each guarded by the current cat. She treasured a circle of long-term friends and was a keen observer of the social life surrounding her.

Catherine’s spiritual life centered on the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco on Franklin St. She treasured the openness, the community, the music, and the people. The Unitarian Church was a source of strength and strong support—its guiding philosophy of open, non-judgmental inclusiveness resonated deeply with Catherine. In her later years Catherine found a supportive longterm home at Martin Luther Tower, just a block from her church.

Her Bay Area family, Bill Savidge and Carol Wilkins and their children spent holidays and time together with Catherine, giving her a taste of family life and the boys a link to their Savidge background. She was also close to her nephew Paul Savidge III or “Mike” as she remembered calling him. She loved visits, letters, cards, and photos from her nieces and nephews Ruth Turpin, Margo Savidge, and Joe Savidge.

Catherine lived with challenges to her mobility and independence as she grew older. Her church and family provided years of loving support. Carol Wilkins was the rock of her life in these years, coordinating every aspect of her care with love and patience. Carol was tireless in helping Catherine through late life transitions from medical care, to housing, and advocacy for her quality of life and care. Judith Stoddard and Fred Rabidoux, friends from church, anchored her to the congregation and were always there to support her in her care and help to ease her path. Her family deeply appreciates the patient and compassionate care she received from those who took the time to listen to her, particularly Dr. Audrey D’Andrea, Kira Yamnik and the VA’s home-based primary care team, and the staff at the Berkshire and Sutro Heights Residential Care.

A memorial service for Catherine is scheduled for Sunday November 5, 2017 at 2pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, 1187 Franklin St. San Francisco

Catherine Savidge had a way, she could be difficult and at the next moment kind and appreciative. She lived a long life with many roads not taken, but the path was always hers. The door always ajar.