Cathleen Aschinger Pugh

Cathleen A. Pugh, 60, of Dublin, Ohio passed away on November 6, 2022. She was born on March 27, 1962 in Columbus, Ohio to Belva (nee McKitrick) and Carl Aschinger. She graduated from Upper Arlington High School and obtained a Bachelor’s in Economics from Indiana University. During high school, she was a three-year All-American as a member of the first sanctioned Ohio school women’s state swimming meet. While she attended college on a Full Athletic Scholarship, she was a member in the Delta Gamma sorority, a BIG10 championship team, and was a two-year AIAW (now known as NCAA) qualifier.

As a nationally recognized swimmer, she had a time of 1:04.79 in the 100-yard breaststroke that broke the national record in 1979. Her national awards and competitions included: Junior Nationals – 1975, Junior Olympics – 1974-1976, Senior Nationals – 1976, Senior Nationals – 1977, Senior Nationals – 1978, Senior Nationals – 1979, U.S. Olympic Training Camp – 1978, Member of United States National Swim Team, and she participated in many International Swim Meets including a memorable with the East German women.

Her All-American awards from 1978 were All-American Honorable Mention Award – 200 Yard Medley Relay, All-American Honorable Mention Award – 200 Yard Individual Medley, and All-American Award – 100 Yard Breaststroke; From 1979, All-American Honorable Mention Award – 100 Yard Butterfly, All-American Award - 200 Yard Medley Relay, All-American Award - 200 Yard Individual Medley, and All-American Award – 100 Yard Breaststroke; From 1980, All-American Honorable Mention – 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, All-American – 200 Yard Medley Relay, All-American – 200 Yard Individual Medley, All-American – 100 Yard Breaststroke. She also held the following records: National Record Holder – 100 Yard Breaststroke, State Record Holder – 100 Yard Breaststroke, State Record Holder – 200 Individual Medley, U.A. High School Record Holder – many, U.A. Natatorium Record Holder – many; And many other awards, recognition, and records.

During college, she brought freshly baked cookies to meet Mark, who would become the love of her life. Their life together lasted 40 years, during which time they had two sons, Will and Matt, the lights of her life. Her favorite thing to do was to visit Nashville to love and play with her grandson, Hudson. She was an incredibly kind woman and never said anything negative about anyone. Cathy had a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She spread her love through gift giving and was always surprising the boys, Hudson included, and their wives with gifts throughout the years. She especially enjoyed birthdays and Christmas because of that. Cathy and Mark have been members at Brookside County Club for 22 years. Her family also remembers the many vacations down to Sarasota, Florida with family and friends, eating out at fun restaurants at St. Armond’s Circle, riding around in the boat, playing on the beach, renting kayaks/scooters, getting ice cream with her, going for walks, and much more.

Cathy will be greatly missed by her husband, Mark William Pugh; sons, William James Pugh and Matthew Aschinger Pugh; her grandson, Hudson Michael Pugh; parents, Belva and Carl Aschinger; siblings, Carl “Chip” Aschinger and Chris Aschinger; and many other family members and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Dublin where a visitation will be held on Monday, November 14 from 3-7pm. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, November 15 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, Cathy’s family would appreciate any donations to Hudson’s school to directly support First Steps programs for children with special needs and their families at https://firststepsnashville.org/donate/ 1900 Graybar Lane, Nashville, TN 37215 or the Aschinger family has established a scholarship fund in Cathy’s memory at the Upper Arlington Education Foundation. Donations may be made online: UAeducationfoundation.com or by check made out to UA+Ed, (memo Aschinger) and mailed to UA+Ed, 1619 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221. Please contact Alice Finley with any questions, [email protected].