Former Wyoming Schools Chief Judy Catchpole Dies, Remembered For Humor, High Energy

Wyoming’s leaders, past and present, are mourning the loss of former Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole, who died Thursday morning at the age of 81.

Catchpole, who served as Wyoming’s highest ranking education officer from 1995-2003, was known for her boundless energy, always-present sense of humor, and strong advocacy for children.

“Judy Catchpole devoted her life to Wyoming’s kids, and our state is better because of her steady leadership and wholehearted service,” Gov. Mark Gordon said in announcing the lowering of both the American and Wyoming flags in her honor on Thursday.

Gordon credited Catchpole with many accomplishments in education reform, including stricter academic standards, student assessments, and teacher certification updates. 

He also said she was an early advocate for charter-school policy.

Current Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder called Catchpole her lifelong mentor, first meeting her when she was a high school student who was interested in getting involved in the state Republican Party.

Catchpole would go on to be the chair of Degenfelder’s successful campaign for superintendent.

“Her impact on education and Wyoming politics will continue on forever,” Degenfelder said.

‘She Was Always Happy'

Wyoming’s senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso called Catchpole a mentor as well.

“I could always rely on Judy for advice, counsel and to bring humor to any situation,” Barrasso said.

Former Superintendent Jillian Balow credited Catchpole as a mentor too.

Balow was a schoolteacher when Catchpole was superintendent and then when Balow ran for the state's top education post in 2014 and for re-election in 2018, Catchpole stood by her side, Balow said.

"Time with Judy was always precious and sure to be full of laughs, stories, hugs, and words of wisdom," Balow said.

Her joy and laughter were mentioned by everyone Cowboy State Daily spoke to. That, and her seemingly limitless energy supply.

"Go-Getter"

Longtime friend Jan Larimer said Catchpole’s spirit was what made her stand out, and her willingness to take on a challenge.

“She was always a go-getter,” Larimer said. "She was not a sitter. She was a doer and her spirit made everybody else move too."

That’s because she never met someone she didn’t end up liking, Larimer said. 

“She was always happy,” she said.

Former Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead agreed.

"Judy had great spirit bringing joy to all those she interacted with," Mead said.

In fact, Catchpole worked closely with First Lady Carol Mead in establishing the Literacy Research Center and Clinic at the University of Wyoming, he said.

"Carol felt she had the perfect combination of passion and common sense as she addressed education issues," Mead said.

'Life Of The Party'

The life of the party is how Rita Watson described Catchpole.

Watson, who has served 14 superintendents going back to 1974, said if there was a piano in the vicinity of Catchpole, be prepared for a show.

“She loved to sing, dance, and play the piano,” Watson said, calling that exuberance part of why she was an effective leader.

That and her compassion for her everyone. It didn’t make any difference where you stood on the company flowchart, she said.

“She wouldn’t let you be sad,” Watson said. “She would show such compassion and before long, you would be laughing alongside her.

“She made me feel special,” Watson said. “I felt part of her family.”

'Steely Resolve'

Her close working family included her deputies, Joe Simpson and Jim Lendino.

The three of them couldn’t be matched, said Rita Meyer, who served as the state auditor from 2007-2011 and was a longtime close friend of Catchpole.

“I never saw one of them not have a smile in terms of their support for Judy and for her mission at the Department of Education,” Meyer said. “They were the Three Musketeers and Judy was their band leader.”

Mary Kay Hill could be considered the fourth Musketeer as she worked closely with the trio, first as the education advisor in Gov. Jim Geringer’s office and then moving over to the superintendent’s office during Catchpole’s second term.

Hill said Catchpole’s magnetic personality is what drew people in, but they would then soon learn of her “steely resolve.”

“She believed in kids, she believed in schools, she believed people’s potential to do good, and she was going to make darn sure that everybody fulfilled on their promises,” Hill said.

'Slap Happy Singers'

She also recalled how Catchpole was a part of the “Slap Happy Singers” in her days at the University of Wyoming and how the group put out an album.

Hill’s husband Bill, a retired Wyoming Supreme Court justice, still owns a copy of the LP, she said.

Jimmy Orr can be reached at jimmy@cowboystatedaily.com.