Katherine Hobson Southworth Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Exeter, NH- Katherine Hobson Southworth, 79, of Exeter formerly a long time resident of North Hampton died peacefully Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Ridge in Riverwoods. She was born in Boston on March 5, 1936, a daughter of the late Philip Noyes Hobson and Katherine Dines Hobson Higginson. Katherine attended the Kent School in Denver, CO, as well as the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, MA, The Madeira School in Virginia, Bradford Jr. College in Massachusetts, and was a member of the Class of 1958 at Barnard College, Columbia University. Katherine married Robert A. Southworth (1917-2012) in 1957 and they moved to New York City where she was employed at The Episcopal School (1964-1971) as Assistant Director, Admissions Director, Financial Officer and Trustee of this non-profit pre-school. Katherine and her late husband Robert Southworth always maintained their home in Little Boar’s Head, NH. Community volunteerism was a main focus for Katherine for more than 35 years: serving as a Trustee of the North Hampton library for ten years, an EMT for the North Hampton Fire Department Ambulance for ten years, a member of the Recycling Committee and a Commissioner for the Village District of Little Boar’s Head for 11 years. Known for her warm personality and discerning mind, Katherine was a violinist with the Tanglewood Youth Orchestra for two summers, a member of the Whiteman Junior Cup tennis team, a crack shot (winner of the Rye Beach Gun Club cup), and a Red Sox fan from 1946 to the present. Katherine and Robert moved to Riverwoods, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Exeter, in the spring of 2006 where she chaired the Resident Council and the Resident Finance Committee. She was elected to the board of trustees in 2012. She was one of the co-editors of the recent book of World War II stories, “The War We Knew,” (2011) written by the residents. Katherine and Robert have three children: Robert Alexander Southworth, Jr. of Brookline, MA, Samuel Allen Southworth of Newmarket and Mary Southworth Wiley of Abilene, TX; five grandchildren, Robert Lee, Melissa, Katya, Natalya, Bobby and her sister Isabel Utter of North Hampton. In addition to parents and husband she was predeceased by her brother, Philip Noyes Hobson, Jr., USMC, (1932-1952). A memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 23, 2016 in Christ Church, 43 Pine Street, Exeter, NH 03833. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to any good cause that promotes education, community and/or music.

Katherine Hobson Southworth

March 5, 1936 - January 13, 2016