Faithful Heroes: Catherine Marshall
Catherine Marshall was the wife of Dr. Peter Marshall and author of the popular novel, Christy.
Catherine Sarah Wood was born on September 27, 1914 in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Rev. John Ambrose and Leonora Whitaker Wood.
The family served a church in Keyser, West Virginia from the time she was nine until after her high school graduation.
The ministry work of her parents was the basis of the 1967 best-selling novel, Christy.
While a junior at Agnes Scott College, Catherine met Peter Marshall, a Scottish clergyman. The couple married in 1936.
The couple served New York Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. and Peter Marshall eventually became Chaplain of the U.S. Senate.
The couple had a son, Peter John Marshall in 1940.
In the 1940s, Catherine contracted tuberculosis. She spent the next three years recovering from her illness.
On January 26, 1949, her husband, Peter, died suddenly from a heart attack. Catherine was left to care for their nine year old son.
Catherine was encouraged to publish her husband’s sermons. She published twelve of them as Mr. Jones, Meet the Master.
She then wrote the biography of her husband, titled A Man Called Peter. In 1955, the book was made into a successful movie.
Her next book, To Live Again, continued her account to move on after Peter’s death.
In 1959, she married Leonard LeSourd, editor of Guideposts Magazine and helped him raise his three children.
Catherine Marshall became a prolific author, including inspirational writings and writings of her husband. Her writings include the popular novels Christy and Julie.
Catherine and Leonard LeSourd founded the book imprint, Chosen Books.
Catherine Marshall LeSourd died on March 18, 1983. At her request, she is buried beside her first husband.
Her book, Christy, was eventually turned into a TV series featuring Kellie Martin.
Part about Catherine Marshall starts at 4:34