Our Mother and Grandmother, Katherine Flora Headrick, of Freeland, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 6, 2007, in the comfort of her own home, with her family and Skagit Hospice Aide by her side. She was taken prematurely at age 89 by an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Her heart was strong, in more ways than one, as she said good-bye to family and friends.
After graduating from Watertown High School, Maine, and Lasell Junior College in Newton, Maine, she took a war service position in Washington, D.C. She worked for the Treasury and Navy departments for several years, then was stationed in Munich, Germany, in January 1946.
She worked in the Displaced Persons Program in the first U.S. Embassy after the war. In 1951 she was transferred to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where she met and married Raymond Headrick, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, who took her to the Panama Canal Zone.
Katherine was hired by the Pan Canal Company as a purchasing agent for the Dredging Division, where she retired in 1978. Florida was her next destination, where she became president of the Clearwater Newcomers bridge club and met many new friends.
In 1995 she moved to Freeland to be close to family and joined the Evergreen Hospital Guild Bridge group, making many fast friends. She was a member of Christian Life Center, finding a faith in the love of Jesus Christ late in life.
Katie is survived by her daughter, Shelley Dingman of Freeland; grandchildren, Shon Dingman, Katherine Dingman; her sister, Virginia Lowe of Everett; and many nieces and nephews in Maine, Maryland, California and Texas.
Katie touched all she met with her high spirited love of life, with her knowledge of current affairs challenged us to do likewise, and humbled us with her sense of justice for the “little” guy.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm. Saturday, April 21 at Christian Life Ministry Center, followed by a luncheon, on 1832 Scott Road, Suite B-3, Freeland.
Memorial donations may be directed to Caritas Hospital Guild, c/o Sarah Smith; 3080 Twilight Lane; Clinton, WA 98236 or to Christian Life Center, 1832 Scott Road, Suite B-3, Freeland, WA 98249.
