A loss to numismatics

astrorat · May 31, 2018 7:36PM

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.

Paradisefound · May 31, 2018 7:38PM

RIP Cathy.....take flight to a land of no pain

TomB · May 31, 2018 7:41PM

That's a terrific remembrance of your friend. RIP.

coinkat · May 31, 2018 7:51PM

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.