Mary Elsie Kather

Mary Elsie Kather died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 16, 2019 following a short illness.  She was born in Santa Fe on Saturday, March 1, 1947, the first child of Ralph & Josephine Frank, and was then followed by four brothers.  She deeply loved her family, especially her two sons who also blessed her with two grandsons and a granddaughter.  Elsie was married to Gerhard “Gary” Kather for almost 39 years.  Through Gary she inherited four step-children, two step-granddaughters and one great-step grandson.

Elsie was part of one of the last graduating classes from Loretto Academy in Santa Fe. She received a Dental Hygiene Certificate from the University of New Mexico and worked as a hygienist for several years.  Later she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the College of Santa Fe at their University of Albuquerque campus.  Then she earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Highlands University and practiced as a Medical Social Worker with patients and their families at the University of New Mexico Medical Center and Dialysis Clinics, providing services during dialysis and transplant treatment.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph & Josephine Frank; brother, Joseph Frank; and her son, Paul Shager.  Elsie is survived by her husband, Gary; son, Steve Shager; brothers, David Dennedy-Frank (Diane), Hank Frank, and Duane Frank (Jacqueline); grandchildren, Colby, Dalton, and Hailey Shager; as well as by her step-children and step-grandchildren.

After many years of living in a beautiful home in the East Mountains, which she often made available to friends and family, Elsie and Gary moved to La Vida Llena seven years ago, where they quickly became very active members of that community.

A Rosary will be recited for Elsie on Monday, April 1, 2019, 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.  A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at St. John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.  Interment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery Friday, April 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.  The family wishes to thank everyone who has been so thoughtful and supportive during this unanticipated loss and to the attendants who have assisted Gary & Elsie with Gary’s care for many years, especially Dawn Harris and Kathleen Hardy-Castillo.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Mary's name to: The Full Life Foundation, 10501 Lagrima de Oro NE, Suite 361, Albuquerque, New Mexico  87111 or fulllifefoundationabq@gmail.com