Catherine Arlene Poutasse

Catherine Arlene Poutasse, 86, passed away on August 30, 2022. She was born on June 26, 1936 to the late Catherine E. and Carlton A. Closs, Jr., in Ohio. She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Francis Poutasse. A devoted wife, mother, step-mother, grandmother and great grandmother with a powerful soul filled with creativity, wit, ingenuity, tenacity, and compassion. It is hard to capture all that Catherine Arlene was to each of us as she was a giant in her daughter’s eyes – accomplishing anything she set out to do and never allowing being a woman to slow her down. A serial entrepreneur over the years, her businesses included showing and breeding championship Dobermans, an exotic pet shop, an art and craft store, interior designing and a lastly an art co-op that featured her ability to gather people. In the middle, she chose a career in law enforcement rising to Police Chief and became the first woman to graduate from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy. This is a just a few of the highlights of this amazing woman we called wife, mom, grandma and friend. Later, she naturally kept her mind active and her hands busy with crafts projects or mastering games, particularly Rummy and any word puzzle. It was not uncommon to find her in a hot competition on Mario Cart with the grandchildren when they were young. She had a true knack for entertaining family and friends with a heart to include ones without family near. Her daughters have fond memories of her and Dad tangoing, likely she led, drawing upon her professional dancing skills of her youth. Songs like Almost Heaven – Country Roads, Cecelia, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head and I am Woman made her smile near the end. Catherine Arlene returned to her faith in the last years of her life, drawing comfort in His word until the very end. In my distress I called upon my Lord. I cried to my God for help: he heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help before him came into his ears – Psalm 18:6 Catherine Arlene is survived by her daughters, Jacqueline Poutasse (Terry Sutryk), Alice Frazier (Todd), Frances Stacy (Doug), Sydney Gorby (Ken) and her grandchildren include, Amanda Gorby, Mae Smith (Ryne), Kyle Frazier (Kelly), Michael Stacy (Natalie), Trent Gorby, Catherine Radford (Devin), Reid Frazier, Natalie Gorby, Graham Stacy, Lily Stacy, Victoria (Torie) Gorby, Virginia Stacy, Andrew Stacy, Julie Stacy, Timon Stacy, Faith Stacy, Truett Stacy, Liberty Stacy, Jackson Stacy and Josh Sutryk. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren. Her marriage to Eugene brought step-children including, Robert Poutasse (Nancy), Charles Poutasse (Chris), Sarah Bent (Craig), deceased Andrea Glenn (Grant), Marc Poutasse and their children include Alice Tippet, Zachery Tippet, Alexander Glenn, Charles Glenn, Margaret Glenn, Adam Poutasse, Anna Keays, Samuel Poutasse, Jesse Poutasse, Duncan Poutasse, Jack Poutasse, Sam Poutasse, David Poutasse and their 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on October 1, 2022 at Rodes United Methodist Church, Route 151, Afton, Virginia. A memorial mass will also be held at 10 a.m. on September 19, 2022 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hope for Life Dog Rescue at www.hopeforliferescue.com. You may offer your condolences at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.