Katharine W. Hall

Katharine Witherspoon Hall, 87, passed away in her sleep at home in Albuquerque on May 21, 2014. She was the youngest of three daughters of Rev. L.M. and Ruth Witherspoon, and was born in Beirut, Syria (now Lebanon), where her parents were serving as Presbyterian missionaries, on April 25, 1927. Among her earliest memories was the family's return to the U.S. aboard ship. They moved frequently as her father pastored different churches, including ones in Reserve and Albuquerque, where she attended high school and began college. She married James C. Hall after World War II in Albuquerque. They soon moved to Estancia, where she worked as secretary to the high school principal. They had three children, and when their first child went to college, Kathie and Jim moved back to Albuquerque to do the same. Jim pursued a law degree and Kathie completed her undergraduate studies at UNM. All three graduated in 1969. Kathie began a new career as a teacher, first at Hayes Middle School, then at Río Grande High School, and later at CNM Community College. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Elizabeth Gibson, and her former husband. She is survived by her sister, Lois "Jinx" Rodger; her son, Morrow Hall and friend Judith Tamm; her daughters, Kim Mathson and husband Doug, and Wendy Chávez; seven grandchildren, Joshua Hall, Anthony Ansotigue, Andrew Mathson, Anisa Mathson, Paul Gallardo, Jr., Daniel Gallardo, and Andrea Chávez; and two great grandchildren, Liliana and Xavier Gallardo. Kathie was a kind and generous person who was genuinely interested in others. She was well-loved by her students and active in community affairs. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 1, 2014, at 2 PM, at the First United Methodist Church in Estancia. Kathie was very active in this church when she lived in Estancia, and returned every year for Easter services. The family thanks Alliance Hospice and Suzanne Geroux for their compassionate care during Kathie's last days.