Frances "Sassy" Rehkopf

Sassy Rehkopf, 90, beloved child of God, died peacefully on Monday, January 31, 2011 at Springmoor of Raleigh. Sassy was the daughter of Col. and Mrs. George Worcester Ricker of Portland, ME. She was married to Frederic G. Arnold, who predeceased her in 1985, and with whom she raised their 3 children. In 1999, she married her high school sweetheart, Col. George D. Rehkopf, who died in January 2006. She is survived by her three children, Frannie Whitten of Raleigh, Vicki Wood and husband Charlie of Greenville, SC, and Frederic Arnold of Raleigh; by 5 grandchildren, Steven Whitten (Bo), Sarah Wood Thomas, Matthew Whitten, Charles Wood, and Philip Arnold; and by 7 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Margarea Dudley of Fairfax, VA and was predeceased by her sister Virginia Jackson of Glendale, CA. Sassy’s life was anchored by her faith, her love for her Lord, and her love for family and others. She was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she served for many years on the Altar Guild, as a Stephen Minister, and in various other ministries of Christ Church. In her later years, she visited many residents of the Raleigh area nursing homes, including Springmoor. She was also an active member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. She had a long and varied career, working at the Pentagon for the U.S. Army, for a Raleigh CPA firm, and with the NC Treasury Department. As a girl, Sassy was an accomplished horsewoman, and at one time had the job of exercising General George Patton’s horse. As an “army brat” she was well-traveled and spent several years of her girlhood in Hawaii. She regularly entertained the staff and residents at Springmoor by doing the hula for them. Sassy loved to play golf and bridge, and was an excellent and prolific seamstress and needle worker. The family would like to thank the loving and dedicated health professionals and caregivers at Springmoor who watched over Sassy, the ministers and members of Christ Episcopal Church and the staff of Hospice of Wake County. A memorial service in celebration of Sassy’s life and homegoing will be held on Saturday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Christ Episcopal Church, Raleigh, followed by interment in the Churchyard. For additional information concerning the service, please go to www.raleighfuneralhome.com or call Renaissance Funeral Home, 919-866-1866. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Christ Episcopal Church, 120 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1014.

Frances "Sassy" Rehkopf

July 30, 1920 - January 31, 2011