Catherine Hall

Passed away in her home in the early morning hours of May 23rd, 2018 after a courageous battle with ALS. Catherine "Cathie" was born July 19, 1936 in Chicago, IL to Wilber Luther Harrison (Harry) and Helen Elizabeth Mackey. She was a resident of Kalamazoo, MI where she worked as the assistant to the chairman of the Art Department at Western Michigan University a job she reflected on with fondness her entire life. It was at WMU that Catherine met her husband, Warren Hall, and worked alongside her sister, Carole while forming life-long friendships that she maintained until her death. She was a member of the Weavers Guild of Kalamazoo and exhibited her work in the 1970s, as well as a fiber artist in a dual show with her husband and his bronze works in Cincinnati, OH. Catherine was a long-time resident of Common Fence Point in Portsmouth, RI where she was employed for many years as an administrative aide to the president of Alden Boats until her retirement. To be closer to her children, she moved to Niantic, CT where she was a member of the Newcomers Club, volunteered at the East Lyme Senior Center, and was a regular presence over the years in the classroom at Oswegatchie Elementary School where she brought her patient and loving kindness to scores of young children up until ALS would not allow her to do so. Catherine was young at heart and, until recently, kept up with technology and social media, often spontaneously texting one of her children to get together; and competitively playing "Words With Friends" with multiple people daily on her iPad. She loved gardening, reading, sewing, the beach, travel, and most importantly, spending time with her family. As a mother and grandmother, she was a good listener and always showed unconditional love, and was positive, enthusiastic and supportive. She had a passion for taking pictures of family and friends, documenting every event in her photo albums, and creating beautiful greeting cards from her photos, which she gifted to others in boxed sets. Catherine was known for her laughter, kindhearted nature, empathy, tolerance and the ability to make anyone feel special. She always welcomed her family's friends and loved ones like her own, and had the ability to make everyone feel as if they were the most important person in the room. Catherine is survived by her sister, Wilberta Carole Harrison of Kalamazoo, MI; her husband of over 50 years, Warren H. Hall of Niantic, CT; four children: Debra Malouf, Leslie Harrison, Anthony Walstra (Denise), and Rona Walstra, and eight grandchildren: Michelle, Vance, Whitney, Tyler, Tawny, Rachael, Nicole, and Paige. A celebration of her life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Center for Hospice Care of Southeast Connecticut or to the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Connecticut.