It is with great sadness that the family of Cathy Lynn Jenkins announces her passing on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at the age of 52.
A native of Gloucester, Cathy “Lynn” Jenkins, wife of Dr. Thomas E. Pinelli, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. A resident of Yorktown, Virginia, Lynn was born July 14, 1966, in Williamsburg.
She is the daughter of Carlton L. Jenkins (deceased) and Gloria (Wilburn) Jenkins. She is survived by her husband, Thom Pinelli; mother, Gloria Jenkins; brother, Scott Jenkins (wife Melanie); sister, Tammy Fuller (husband Scott); aunt, Cheryl Knapke (husband Don); nieces, Kacey and Haley Jenkins and Mackenzie Hartman, and nephews, Joshua and Zachary Hartman.
She was a 1984 graduate of Gloucester High School and earned degrees from Thomas Nelson Community College and Christopher Newport University. Lynn worked at the NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton) in various capacities for more than 30 years and received multiple awards and accolades for her contributions. Her last assignment was as the NASA Research Announcement Manager in the Aeronautics Research Directorate where she managed multiple procurement actions for 16 “cutting edge” aeronautics research projects.
Lynn was an amazing and courageous individual who lost her battle with ovarian cancer. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her nieces and nephews.
She was an accomplished and sought-after middle-eastern dancer. Her lifelong love affair with dance began at age 17 and lasted until her health made it too difficult to perform. She was a member of five dance troupes, taught culturally-specific dance classes, and performed for multiple audiences in a variety of venues.
Lynn loved to garden and excelled at growing most perennials, eradicating moles in the front yard, and outsmarting squirrels. She screamed like a girl when confronted by snakes, believed in the power of retail therapy, loved dogs, sold Mary Kay, enjoyed taking pictures of nature, and checked the stove before leaving the house.
A funeral service conducted by the Rev. Chris McMillan and the Rev. Bill West will be held Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Providence Baptist Church, 3501 Providence Road, Hayes, Va. 23072. Interment will follow in Gloucester Point Cemetery, 1860 Hayes Road, Gloucester Point, Va. 23062. The family will receive friends Friday from 11-12 before the service.
In Lynn’s memory, contributions may be made to the Thomas Palliative Care Unit, VCUHS Medical Center, P.O. Box 985934, Richmond, Va. 23298.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point. Please visit www.hoggfh.com to share condolences and memories.