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A loss to numismatics

astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited May 31, 2018 7:38PM in U.S. Coin Forum

I recently learned of the passing of a marvelous human being, Cathy Scaife. Sadly, we lost touch somewhat when I changed career paths. Below is a 'Letter to the Editor' I sent to Barb Gregory of The Numismatist in honor of Cathy. I thought I would share this with the Board as we honor often those who were significant to numismatics. Some were signifiant in ways not known to many in the hobby.

The numismatic world was diminished on April 11, 2018 by the loss of Cathy Scaife at the young age of 59 following a battle with cancer. Cathy’s name is not known to many in the hobby as she didn’t buy expensive coins, discover a great hoard, or amass an impressive collection. Her quiet significance was as a teacher. And she was a masterful and inspiring educator.

Cathy received her BA in Classical Studies from the College of William and Mary in 1981 and her MA in Latin from The University of Texas at Austin in 1983. She then taught Latin in the Austin public school system, and, with an award from the Classical Association of the Middle West and South, attended the American Academy in Rome before moving with her family to Lexington, KY in 1991. There she taught the Latin II class for the Distance Learning division of Kentucky Educational Television. In 1996, she began teaching Latin at Lexington Catholic High School. She became involved with Roman coins in 2001 when she first participated in a coin attribution program sponsored by Ancient Coins for Education. In 2002, ACE awarded her the Harlan J. Berk Prize for Teacher Excellence for her efforts at integrating the study of coins into the classroom.

In 2002, Cathy enrolled in the ANA’s Coins in the Classroom summer seminar course which is when we met and I experienced her passion for teaching others about classical history and using coins as learning tools for the journey. During the first day of class it was abundantly clear she was an inquisitive student and a gifted teacher. On the second day, she agreed to co-instruct the course with me. It was an honor to teach with her and she how her gentle, unassuming nature was so powerful an instructional instrument. Cathy remained a teaching partner for the course and a friend for life.

Cathy’s passing is a loss to the numismatic world. She was an inspiring teacher, a delightful friend and a humble, caring human being. Cathy exhibited all that is good about our hobby. Cathy embodied gravitas.

Lane J. Brunner, Ph.D.

Numismatist Ordinaire
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces

Comments

  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭

    RIP Cathy.....take flight to a land of no pain o:)<3

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,768 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Our sympathy to her friends and family... Some comfort can be gained knowing that she made lasting and meaningful impression in the lifes of so many others. That is a very nice tribute.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,511 ✭✭✭✭✭

    She sounded (read) like a very diverse woman. Your memoriam was a nice touch.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • 1Mike11Mike1 Posts: 4,422 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Depressing. My condolences to her friends and family.

    "May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"

    "A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
  • thisistheshowthisistheshow Posts: 9,386 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That was a very well written tribute. Thank you for sharing it here.

  • SurfinxHISurfinxHI Posts: 2,547 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great tribute. Great teachers are hard to find. Sad we are now missing one.

    Surf

    Dead people tell interesting tales.
  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    RIP

  • CommemDudeCommemDude Posts: 2,313 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My condolences to her family and the numismatic community. We desperately need more teachers like her to promote and illuminate our hobby RIP

    Dr Mikey
    Commems and Early Type
  • CoinRaritiesOnlineCoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,680 ✭✭✭✭

    Lovely sentiments.

  • GazesGazes Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very happy you posted this----sounds like a wonderful person

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,876 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That's sad, RIP Cathy.
    A very nice tribute !

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well said, Lane. How sad Cathy died so young.
    Lance.

  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Lane that was a VERY touching letter. So sorry for the loss. Way way too young. Cancer is a bastard

    m

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TomB said:
    That's a terrific remembrance of your friend. RIP.

    Couldn't have said it better Tom. She sounds like a great person Lane.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 16,245 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice tribute. Those are the kinds of people who inspire others to move forward, onward, and upward.

    As they say, sad to see her go, but happy that she was here.

    It says a lot that people miss her when she is gone.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,070 ✭✭✭✭✭

    rip and condolences to the family and all involved.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is a beautiful remembrance piece... Condolences to family and friends... RickO

  • alohagaryalohagary Posts: 2,829 ✭✭✭✭

    RIP

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