Catherine Toms

Catherine Riggles Toms, 77, of Walkersville, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away in her sleep on Monday, April 4, 2011 at home.  Mrs. Toms’ final days were spent laughing and smiling with her family and friends by her side.  She is the wife of Richard M. Toms; they were married for 59 years.

Catherine “Cathy” was born June 29, 1933 on Wisner Street in Frederick, Maryland.  She was the daughter of the late Lawrence V. and Catherine I. Danner Riggles.

Known to family and friends as “Simmy,” Mrs. Toms was a born-again Christian and a long time member of South End Baptist Church of Frederick, Maryland.  There she served for many years as a Sunday school teacher and director and was a state approved and certified vacation bible school instructor.  She was a long time employee of Dr. James Murphy of Woodsboro, where she worked as a dental assistant.  Prior to that she and her husband, who served in the military for 22 years, traveled extensively and lived throughout the United States and abroad.  She thoroughly enjoyed the three years she and her family lived in England and her numerous travels and tours throughout Europe and the Holy land.

While her husband did duty in England, Italy and Turkey, she started collecting music boxes and antique clocks and later added cake decorating to her list of hobbies.  But mostly, Mrs. Toms enjoyed spending her time with her loving family.  Her greatest joy in life was her family and the wonderful times spent with her four grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Richard, she is survived by two children, Richard M. Jr. and wife Pamela of Woodsboro and daughter Deborah L. and husband Wayne Peterson of Walkersville; grandson, Jeremy Peterson and wife Jennifer and their daughters, Abigail and Madison of Walkersville; grandson Timothy Peterson and wife Danielle and their sons Owen and Cole all of Reston, Virginia; granddaughter Chelsey and husband Daniel Sleeter and children Audrey and Koltan of San Antonio, Texas; granddaughter Ashlen and husband Chad Cotterman of Fairchild AFB, Washington.

Also surviving are three step granddaughters Shelly Konstandinidis of Middletown, Maryland, Brook Tyeryar of Frederick and Katie Eyler of Tampa, Florida; five step great-grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy and husband Evie Ramsburg of Frederick, Carol Ann and husband Art Einhorn of Las Vegas, Nevada; one brother, Larry Riggles and wife Maureen of Ocean View, Delaware; two sister-in-laws, Helen and Vivian Riggles; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Toms is preceded by three brothers Lawrence Riggles, John “Jack” and William “Billy” Riggles.

Family will be receiving friends at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9pm.  A memorial ceremony will be held at South End Baptist Church in Frederick, Maryland on Friday at 10am.  Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery and scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Toms requested memorial contributions to be made to South End Baptist Church, 506 Carrolton Drive, Frederick, Maryland 21701 or Pulmonary Fibrosis Research at Johns Hopkins University, Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 100 North Charles Street, Suite 440, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.