Caddy Rowan Meekins died peacefully on December 27, 2024 at Williamsburg Landing Assisted Living in Williamsburg, VA. Born on June 19, 1928 in Naugatuck, CT, Caddy lived 96 full and purposeful years, guided by a will to serve and a spirit of adventure.
Graduating from Smith College in 1949, Caddy joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1950 commissioning as a second lieutenant via Officer Candidate School. During her training, she became the co-owner of a piston-engine aircraft and took flying lessons from former Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) Julie Ledbetter. Caddy took her first solo flight July 4, 1951. Subsequently, she was assigned to Germany as part of the Army of Occupation.
While stationed in Germany, Caddy served as the company commander of a multinational team overseeing communication infrastructure. She also met her future husband E.B “Peter” Meekins, Jr., who was also assigned to Germany. They were married in Hanau, Germany in 1954 and spent 65 years together until Pete’s death in 2019. It proved a perfect match, one of love and a commitment to shared interests.
After returning stateside, Caddy earned a Masters of Urban Planning from Virginia Tech in 1958. She remained active in the Army Reserves for over 25 years, eventually retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She and Pete moved to Maine in 1969 to teach and coach at Kents Hill School, while taking positions of increasing responsibility within the Reserves. Caddy finished her career as the state Civil Emergency Management Planner for the office of the Governor of Maine.
Returning to Virginia in 1980, Caddy and Pete began to travel the world as full-time volunteers, assisting with research benefiting the environment, wildlife, and local communities. Caddy travelled to all seven continents, including four trips to Antarctica, collecting data from volcanoes, tagging bears in their dens, and diving with grey whales to conduct benthic studies.
When Pete served as the sailing master for the 1985 reenactment of the 1607 voyage of the Godspeed from England to Jamestown, Caddy helped train the crew and led the extensive social engagements surrounding the reenactment. She also opened her home, Holly Point, on the York River for many philanthropic and social events, including her highly anticipated annual oyster roast. Caddy was a long-time patron and supporter of both the Mariner’s Museum and the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, as well as other philanthropic interests.
An accomplished sailor, pilot, and skydiver, Caddy was a true leader, mentor, adventurer, and friend. Beloved by many, Caddy was an inspiration to all. She is survived by her sister Laurel Crooks, nephew Adam (Amanda) Burstein and their children, niece Alexi (Steve) Conine and their children, cousins Eliza Anderson and Bruce (Marcia) Rebman, and generations of close family and friends.
Caddy’s family is enormously grateful for the steadfast presence of Sharon Bailey, a very special family friend, as well as the compassionate care provided by the superb staff at Williamsburg Landing Assisted Living, the wonderful private aides from Saving Grace, and the kind care provided by Gentiva Hospice.
A celebration of Caddy’s life will be held at the Williamsburg Landing Assisted Living Charter Room on Friday, January 24, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Mariner’s Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News VA, 23636 or Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, JYF, Inc, P.O. Box 3605, Williamsburg VA 23187.
