Catherine Lorraine Morehouse

Catherine Lorraine Plummer Morehouse, 92, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her four devoted children. Catherine, known to all as Ranie, was a vibrant woman filled with a love of adventure and spontaneity! She was born and grew up in Medford, Massachusetts and after graduating from Emmanuel College in Boston, she began working as an elementary teacher. Ranie’s adventurous spirit soon kicked in, and she headed to Washington, D.C. to work for the federal government as an administrative assistant. She heard of opportunities to travel overseas with her new job and jumped at the chance. Off to Cyprus she went! Her favorite story, besides that of meeting her future husband, Fred, was when she got stuck in Cairo, Egypt on a mini vacation and had to hitch a ride on Lord Mountbatten’s private plane to get back to Cyprus. Ranie married Fred Morehouse in 1956, and the adventures continued. After a very short time stationed in Virginia, they moved their family of three to Panama. The next daughter arrived. Ranie and Fred returned to the states and lived in South Florida for several years where they welcomed another daughter and a son. With four children between the ages of six months and five years, they packed up and moved to Uruguay, South America. After a short tour there, the family landed in Venezuela. Fred and Ranie were a lively couple who loved entertaining and exploring the countries where they lived. The family returned to the states for a few years but grabbed the chance to head overseas once again. Off to Liberia, West Africa they went! Ranie became an avid fisher woman as well as an active member of the local Catholic Church. She quickly involved herself and her children in volunteering for church humanitarian projects. Ranie and Fred retired in South Florida in 1975. Fred passed in 1977, and Ranie went back into the workforce. She loved working as a real estate agent, but finally retired as a human resource assistant for the local hospital. Ranie moved to St. Augustine in the late 90’s, a city she grew to love. She was an active member of the Lion’s Club and St. Anastasia Catholic Church and continued her traveling. Ranie is survived by her four loving children, their spouses, two grandsons, a step grandson, two step granddaughters, her precious triplet great-grandchildren, five step grandchildren, and a step great great granddaughter! Additionally, there are cousins, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Catherine Lorraine Morehouse

August 28, 1927 - April 15, 2020