JOCELYN EHRKE CALDWELL's Obituary
Jocelyn (nee Ehrke) Caldwell was born on July 21, 1921 in Brisbane, Australia to Catherine and Charles Ehrke. Her father was head of Swifts, Inc. The family, originally from Kansas City, Mo., were transferred a few years later to Buenos Aires, Argentina where Jocelyn, her older sister Catherine (Cass) and younger sister Beverly were raised.
A talented artist, she left Buenos Aires after high school to study at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Upon her return to Buenos Aires, she worked at the American Consulate where she met her future husband, William "Bill" Caldwell, of Bonham, Texas.
She often spoke of their "garden" wedding reception, which was held at the family home in Buenos Aires. A “Plague of Locusts" arrived in Buenos Aires the week before the wedding, completely stripping the beautiful gardens.Her wedding flowers and decorations were gathered from whatever generous friends and neighbors had left, and what they could import on short notice. The ceremony was still beautiful, and definitely memorable.
She and Bill settled in Santiago, Chile where Bill was stationed at the American Embassy and their daughter Catherine (Cati) was born. They were then stationed in Panama for several years where their son Michael (Mike) was born.
They then returned to the United States, living in Falls Church, Virginia for several years.
They were thrilled to be posted to Havana, Cuba (where Bill had worked in the 1940’s with the FBI) in 1954. Four happy years were spent travelling widely and establishing lifelong friendships with the many diverse people they met. These included Ernest Hemingway, with whom Jocelyn shared a birthday (and often a celebration) and many other distinguished people. Joyful times were enjoyed around the pool, on the beach and golf course at the Biltmore Club, Varadero Beach, the Floridita, fishing trips on friends boats, and at asados.
In 1958 the family left Havana for a two year posting in Manila where they quickly made many new friends and enjoyed new experiences.
In 1960, the family was excited to be posted to Melbourne, Australia where they spent five extremely happy years reveling in the relaxed "Aussie" lifestyle. Many fun family vacations were spent at Mt. Martha, Portsea and Surfers Paradise. And, as usual, the welcome mat was always out for the many friends that Bill and Jocelyn made.
Throughout their time overseas, “Home Leave” – required to be taken every two to three years - allowed them to maintain relations with State-side family and friends as well as providing further opportunities to explore the many wonders of the United States as well as Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Jocelyn and Bill completely embraced and fully immersed themselves in the people and culture of every overseas posting. They made life-long friends and were great correspondents who could pick up where they left off when encountering someone they might not have seen for twenty years or more! Their correspondents were wide-ranging; they stayed in touch over the years with everyone from dignitaries to former household help, Mary Hemingway, and Bill’s hometown mentor, Sam Rayburn.
An accomplished hostess and talented gourmet cook, Joss was always ready to make up a bed or set the table for the many guests they hosted. Bill was known to show up at the last minute with one or more unexpected guests and Joss often threatened to hang a shingle advertising their “B&B”.
A talented artist and craftsman, Joss generously donated her time, artistic talents and hostessing skills to many local charities and cultural associations in each place they lived. This included designing Christmas cards featuring local cultures, which she donated to raise funds for local charities in Cuba, the Philippines and Australia.
Jocelyn was truly an asset to Bill's career and he gave her much credit for his success, as well as for the many positive contributions she made in each country that they lived. They truly functioned as a team.
In 1966 the family left Melbourne and settled in Coral Gables, Fl. They continued to lead an active lifestyle, entertaining, playing golf, painting and taking many short trips to visit friends throughout the country as well as enjoying some wonderful family vacations in Maryland, New England, North Carolina and Sanibel Island.
Eventually, Jocelyn’s mother and sister Bev moved from Kansas City and settled in Miami as well. Joss, Bill and her sister Cass spent many of their retirement years caring for their needs.
Jocelyn (“Granny”) and Bill (“Dadu”) especially enjoyed hosting their grandchildren Summer and Sean and “honorary” grandson Rob for a few weeks each summer. An especially memorable vacation took place during Hurricane Andrew, when they were all forced to shelter in a walk-in closet, and then spend a week together housebound and with no power.
Joss was well known for the incredible custom- designed, hand-knit sweaters she gave her grandchildren each Christmas as well as for her needlepoint skills.
Unable to undertake the extensive retirement travel they had always planned, they did visit Australia and Argentina and had always hoped they would be able to return to Havana.
Joss and Bill celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary with a party in their home and were touched to receive cards, pictures and reminiscences from their many friends all over the world. Following Bills death in April of that year, Jocelyn moved to a small villa in South Miami near her sister Cass and son Mike. She continued to take painting classes and participated in her new homeowners association.
Following a car accident, she moved into The Palace nursing home – just across the hall from her sister Beverly. Her son Mike and his wife Myra, who reside in Miami, provided loving care and support to both of them, especially in their last years.
She was a loving mother and devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. To her delight, her oldest great-granddaughter was named in her honor.
Bill and Joss provided Cati and Mike with an exciting and adventurous life, for which they will always be appreciative and grateful.
She is survived by her daughter Catherine "Cati" (Wayne) of Silver Spring, Md., her son Mike (Myra) of Pinecrest, Fl. and her adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jocelyn's name to Miami-Dade Animal Services or Vitas Community Connection
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