CATHERINE ELLEN POINDEXTER, the beloved daughter of Scott and Mary Claire, sister of Christian and Matthew, and granddaughter of Marilyn and Chris Poindexter and Claire McKenna, died at age 24 at Johns Hopkins Hospital Sept. 21, 2017 from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune condition.
Catherine was born September 14, 1993 in Jacksonville, N.C. She enjoyed many family moves due to her father’s career in the Marine Corps, which sparked a lifelong interest in traveling and adventure. She especially liked their time in Europe where she learned to ski, became fluent in Spanish, and developed a love of art.
A 2011 graduate of Severna Park High School, Catherine swam with the SPY Swim Team, and completed internships at the Severna Park Veterinary Hospital and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Catherine worked in the Aquatics program at Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation on the Susquehanna River every summer from 2009 until 2015. Eventually, she became Aquatics Director and was responsible for all pool and river activities. She was a skilled boat operator and especially enjoyed running overnight canoe camping trips.
Catherine began her college studies at Virginia Polytechnic University where she became a member of Sigma Alpha Sorority. While a Hokie, Catherine studied abroad in South Africa, worked in a research laboratory at Virginia Tech, and completed an internship at Disney University in Orlando, FL. Catherine also became a certified scuba diver and was a board member of the Virginia Tech Scuba Club. Her Capstone Project involved three months of research and rescue of endangered turtles in Costa Rica.
An avid hiker, she embarked on a weeklong trek with her father along the Appalachian Trail in The Shenandoah National Forest after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in May 2016. Soon after, she began her professional career as an Animal Care and Use Coordinator (ACUC) at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda.
MARILYN and CHRISTIAN POINDEXTER are the generous donors of the Catherine Ellen Poindexter Professorship in Cardiology, named in honor of their granddaughter Catherine, who died at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2017 at age 24. Their gift is a testament to Catherine’s impact on their entire family.
Mr. Poindexter graduated from the Naval Academy in 1960 and served as a Navy pilot and a Nuclear Power Officer until 1967, when he joined Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, which had recently announced plans to construct the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in southern Maryland. During the period of building and initial operation he held a number of positions in the company. He assumed the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in January 1993 and served in that role until 2001.
Mrs. Poindexter graduated from Indiana University in 1959 and taught elementary school in Indiana, Florida, Texas and Maryland. She served in several philanthropic venues in the Severna Park, Maryland area during their children’s school years before returning to teaching.
Mr. Poindexter has a long history of community leadership at the local and national levels. He has served on over 40 governing and volunteer boards, including multiple terms as a trustee of Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine. He currently serves as a member of the Johns Hopkins Cardiovascular Advisory Board.
The Poindexters have traveled extensively for business and pleasure visiting over 60 countries. They recently celebrated their 59th Wedding Anniversary.
