Catharine “Cae” Coleman Yager left this life peacefully following a brief illness. Catharine was born at home, delivered by Dr. Henry at a few minutes before midnight on March 31, 1920. She was the middle child and only daughter of Howard S. Coleman and Amy Elizabeth Ritchey. Howard Coleman was a baker at the Coleman Family Bakery in Everett, Pa; Amy was a teacher in a one room Schoolhouse.Young Catharine was an enthusiast—for school, music and drama. She especially loved acting. She encouraged local kids to join her in dramatic performances for family and friends, including puppet shows for younger children. From her youth, Catharine was actively involved in her family faith, playing piano and sometimes duets with her brother, Howard Jr. on trumpet and later was Church Organist. When Catharine was 14 years old, Howard, Sr. got a job with Penn State College to enable the children to have college educations. Moving to State College brought many changes, including a new moniker, “Cae.” Always a good student, she received the Pi Landa Theta, honorarium, was active in the Christian Association, the Penn State Players, and Delta Gamma Sorority. While she felt called to the theatre, the Country was at War. (WW II) She decided to pursue her true love instead. As providence would arrange, at 19, she met and fell in love with N. Bruce Yager. The two became a pair, enjoying politics, dancing and discussions on a wide range of topics. Cae was a true trailblazer of her era. While marriage was on their minds, Cae was determined to have a career. Considering that she was born in the year that women had just won the vote in the U. S., this represented unusually forward thinking. Shortly after college graduation, they married in a modest home ceremony. During wartime, (WWII), July 4 was the only day in which the couple could get a half day off to get married. Being wed on July 4th, 1942, assured that they would always have fireworks on their anniversary. The couple then moved to Philadelphia, residing in the communal House of Industry. Both worked for Brown Instruments as part of the war effort. Cae kept true to her desire for a career, going on to receive her Masters of Social Work and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania in 1945, additional training in family therapy from Eastern PA Psychiatric Institute and Medical College in 1970-71 and family therapy training at Bryn Mawr College in 1970-71. Cae further broke with social convention at the time by working for several years before beginning a family. However, once baby Deborah was in arms, more babies quickly followed, Carmella, Stephannie, Bruce and Victoria arrived, and her commitment to her career waited. Over the years, she would bring her skill as a social worker to many families and children: As a teacher at Strawberry Mansion Day School,1942-43, which included children who were refugees from the Holocaust, 1945-48 Graduate Social Worker Children’s Aid Society of Phila., 1960-63 Kindergarten Teacher Stevens School, Chestnut Hill, PA, 1960-64 Carson Valley School, Flourtown, PA, 1963-64, Social Worker with Methodist Home for Children 1964 for 26 years, and for many years “Miss Cae” served as the much loved School Psychological Consultant at Charlestown Playhouse, a well-known cooperative nursery school in Charlestown Twp, Chester County, founded by Betty Stonorov. Early in their marriage, Bruce and Cae joined the Philadelphia Cricket Club, where she learned to swim and play tennis, pursuing both into her eighties. Always nature lovers, together with family, they personally built and enjoyed a simple cabin on their Christmas tree farm in Perry County. They both loved gardening and entertaining, and their annual Labor Day Party. In 2000, Cae suddenly lost her soul mate of nearly 60 years. In 2002, she proceeded with their plan of moving to Cathedral Village, where she resided until her death. While there, she continued to pursue her love of the arts, attending educational classes, the opera, Phila. Orchestra concerts, theater and participating in residential drama and choir groups. She relished her nightly game of Shanghai with her friends, and playing the grand piano Bruce, Sr., gave her on her 50th birthday. Cae loved many things: music, dance, theater, but first and foremost was her love of family, and nothing delighted her more than having them all under one roof. Thus, as the winds scattered her loved ones, she and Bruce started a tradition in 1995: Club Yager (with apologies to Club Med), a yearly seaside gathering for family near and far. The tradition of Club Yager continued until 2011. A highlight of each year’s gathering was Cae’s dramatic presentations and oratory. Cae leaves a large and loving family. Deborah and Gregory Treleaven of Rockville, MA. Carmella Yager and Dennis Gurgul, Tenants Harbor, ME. Stephannie and Dave McLimans, Chester County, PA. Dr. N. Bruce and Kathleen Yager, Hollister, CA and Victoria Yager and Michael Masterson, El Cerrito, CA. Seven grandchildren Max Withers (Julianne), Katherine Withers (Josh), Meghan Shaw (Tom), Scott Beemer (Erin), Gawain Treleaven, Carrie Beemer, Catharine Pauline Darr (Alex), Harrison Yager, and Isabella Masterson. There are 6 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Norah Rose, Alys, Samuel, Joaquin and Teddy. Extended family includes her sister in law Ann “Po” Coleman and many loving nephews and nieces. She also leaves her beloved friends and the caring staff of Cathedral Village and Bishop White Lodge. The Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Cae Yager is set for March 28th. Family visitation at 10:30 am, Services at 11:30 am at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, 600 E. Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, Pa, 19128. Inurnment private. Arrangements, Jacob F. Ruth. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cae’s name can be made to: Charlestown Playschool, Phoenixville, PA and Methodist Home for Children, Phila., PA. She nourished our spirits and bodies for so many years and continues to shine the light of love into our lives as she will forever. We miss her so much.
