Katherine Tolhurst

Katherine K. Tolhurst, age 73, of 129 Norman Ridge Rd., Vermontville, died Monday, November 22, 2010 at her home

Born in Dunkirk, New York on February 19, 1937, she was the daughter of L. Don and Agnes (Sippel) King.

Katherine graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA in June of 1958, where she was editor of both the newspaper and yearbook. She taught French and English at Newfane High School, north of Buffalo, where she met her husband, George. They married in 1961 and took jobs in Southern California where their first child, Mary was born. After a year in Northern California they returned to New York State for the birth of their son Christopher and settled in Saranac Lake where two more children were born, Peter and Jane. After her children reached school age, Katherine began to substitute teach and finally became a full time French and English teacher at Saranac lake High School. Large numbers of Hatians who had been arrested attempting to illegally enter the United States were held in a local prison and Katherine volunteered her services as a translator. She found her service on St. Bernard's School Board particularly rewarding, and she maintained an interest in Catholic education throughout her life. Katherine was a long term, loyal member of the Catholic Daughters and truly enjoyed the devotion, picnics and dinners. After retirement she enjoyed travelling all over the United States and Europe and seeing her thirteen grandchildren. After moving to the town of Franklin, Katherine worked at the polls as an election supervisor.

She is survived by her husband George,four children: Mary Elizabeth Naegele (Tobias) of Alexandria, VA, Christopher Tolhurst (Margaret) of Rochester, NY, Peter Tolhurst of Tucson, AZ and Jane Daley of Succasunna, NJ, 13 grandchildren , 10 nieces and nephews, a brother: David King of Williamsville, NY and a sister: Carolyn Eppolito of Fredonia, NY. She was preceded in death by her father L. Donald King, and her mother Agnes (Sippel) King.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday, November 26, 2010 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul's Church in Bloomingdale with Father Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Katherine may make memorial contributions to Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity, 780 Ridge Rd., Lackawawna, NY 14218, in care of the funeral home. Family and friends may also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.