On Monday August 22, 2022, Caroline Burslem Cale, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at age 75. 

Caroline was born on August 18, 1947 and grew up in Hyattsville, MD.  She was both a pianist and flutist, and she graduated from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in 1969 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education.  Before moving to Newport News, she was a music teacher in Loudon County, VA.  Caroline was very well known throughout the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) District 8 for her private flute studio and for adjudicating many District 8 Band auditions, Newport News All City Band auditions, and Solo and Ensemble Festivals.  For 50 years in Newport News, Caroline taught private flute lessons to students of all ages.  Throughout the years, many of her students have gone on to become professional flutists, music educators and life-long friends.

Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, William A. Burslem, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Burslem, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Richard, as well as her brother William A. Burslem, Jr. and dear sister-in-law Patricia Burslem.  She and Richard have two children: Dr. Ellison (Ellie) Cale, a clinical psychologist in Harrisonburg, VA, and Dr. Evan Cale, a staff scientist at the Vaccine Research Center at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH. Caroline cherished visits with her children, daughter-in-law Brannon Weeks, and 10-year-old granddaughter Rachel Elizabeth Cale.

Caroline will be remembered in a service at Peninsula Funeral Home on Saturday September 3 at 2:00pm.  Memorial contributions can be made in Caroline’s name to the Penninsula SPCA, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601, https://peninsulaspca.org.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.