Katharine was born in Short Hills, New Jersey on August 25, 1913. Her parents were Frederic P. and Katharine Wheeler Craig. She graduated from Kent Place School, Vasser College and Columbia University Teachers College. Katharine worked first as a Director of Sarah Lawrence College Pre-School Program and then for many years for the State of New York overseeing preschool programming.
She married John Woods in 1954. For years the lived in Albany, New York and summered on Martha Vineyard Island.
A few years after retirement, Katharine suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed and aphasic. Her husband died a year later. She then moved to Brunswick, where “Kack” and her three siblings lived together at 6 High Street, affectionately named “Fade Away Manor.” There the four octogenarians received help from family and Neighbors inc. Katharine survived her two sisters, Frances Seymour Brown and Elizabeth Craig as well as her brother Bradford Craig. Subsequently she moved to the Stevens Home on Harpswell Road. There she became the longest living resident in recent memory and earned the name “Queen Katharine.” For the past half-year she has resided with her nephew James Craig Seymour and his wife Editha in South Gardiner.
Kack has been loved and admired. Despite her misfortunes she maintained an intelligent, warmhearted grace. Though communication remained difficult, she always engaged others, especially children. All gained inspiration from Kack’s will to live as fully as she could.
She will be greatly missed by friends from the Stroke Victims Groups, by staff members of the Stevens Home and Neighbors Inc.
Kack is survived by four nephews, Richard deVillers Seymour and his wife Rosie Armstrong of Brunswick, James Craig Seymour and his wife Editha Seymour of South Gardiner, by Thomas Wheeler Craig and his wife Linda Craig of Seneca Falls, New York and by John Craig of San Francisco, CA.
She also leaves as great nephew Cameron Craig Seymour and his wife Lesley Playor of Dresden, ME and great nieces, Heather Pearson Seymour of Topsham, Alexandra McNeill Seymour of Marina Del Rey, CA, and a step-great niece Lindsey Armstrong of Brunswick.
Kack is further survived by her 5 year old great, great niece Ella Judith Seymour of Dresden and her cousin Ann Bannerman, age 102, of New York City.
A memorial service will be held in the near future. Friends will be contacted to attend. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.
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