Catherine Jean (Piper) Mansperger

Catherine Jean (Piper) Mansperger died August 7, 2020, at the age of 74.  Katie was born August 24, 1945, the daughter of Walter Stanley Piper, Jr. and Eleanor Jean (MacArthur) Piper.  She grew up in Euclid, Ohio, and remained a “Buckeye” all her life.  Katie chose McConnelsville, Ohio, to be her home more than forty years ago.  When offered the opportunity to move east in recent years, she was adamant that this verdant green river town should remain her home.  She loved the river, the rolling hills, the fair grounds, the farmlands, the churches, but most of all, the people.  She used her abundant talents in music, compassion, education, and organization to enrich the lives of the residents and in return, they supported and nurtured her.

Katie was born into a family of talented musicians and followed this lineage, earning a Bachelors in Music in 1967 from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Masters degree from The Ohio State University and continuing with advanced course work in music education.  She could play any instrument she picked up but excelled playing brass instruments, especially the French Horn, the pipe organ and piano.  She preferred using her choral and instrumental skills in opportunities that engaged others, especially in community music settings and church choirs, where she delighted in opportunities to nurture the talents of children and adults. 

Katie was academically gifted from an early age.  She taught herself to read at age 3 and continued to excel throughout her educational career.  She was a National Merit Scholarship recipient, one of a trio of Valedictorians in the 1963 graduating class of Euclid Senior High School, a member of numerous academic and music honorary societies, and possessed an inquisitive, perceptive intellect.  When career changes necessitated acquiring new skills, she rose to the challenge and became a social worker, using her exceptional organizational talents to support senior citizens and their families at Mark Rest Center and, in her final years of employment, the children and families of Morgan County through her work as a child welfare case manager.

Katie is survived by her sister and her husband, Nora and Jon Almond, of Sheffield Village, Ohio, five nieces and nephews, and nine grand nieces and nephews.  Katie was a generous and loyal friend, whose enduring friendship was reciprocated by Tina Work Cooper and her daughters.  Katie was grateful for the exceptional care she received from her friend and physician, Dr. Barbara Murrell, and the staff of Riverside Landing Nursing Home.  

If you wish to honor her, a donation to a humane society rescue in recognition of her deep love for animals, to Doctors Without Borders in support of international medical care, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital would be appreciated.  

Interment will be in the columbarium at East Shore United Methodist Church, Euclid, Ohio, at a time convenient to her family and friends.

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