BANGOR – Katherine M. Walsh, 75, passed away peacefully Sept. 14, 2011, at a Bangor hospital. She was born July 23, 1936, in Bangor, daughter of Dr. Martyn A. and M. Hilda (Finnegan) Vickers.
Katherine was a lifelong resident of Bangor and a 1954 graduate of John Bapst High School, and was the president of her senior class. She graduated magna cum laude from The College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J., Class of 1958. Katherine then started the doctoral program at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She was the only female student in a class of 200 men. She then attended The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., Class of 1961, where she obtained her master’s degree in chemistry. On April 28, 1962, she married Joseph T. Walsh Jr., in Bangor. They celebrated 49 years of marriage this past April. Katherine was a lifelong advocate for Catholic education. She served on the Ministry Review Board for the Diocese of Portland. She was an active member of Carmelite Order, Orland. Katherine was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Parish and served as a Eucharistic minister for decades. Katherine also served on St. Mary’s Parish Council. When Katherine’s children were grown, she was a professor of anatomy and physiology at Husson College. She was an active member of the Current Events Club and Sodality Club. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her eight grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Nanie.” She enjoyed seeing her grandchildren spend time fly-fishing on the banks of the Miramichi River, New Brunswick. She enjoyed a lifetime full of activity, including skiing, golfing, swimming and going to the beach. Katherine was known to the world as having a friendly smile and a gracious heart.
Katherine is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Joseph T. Walsh Jr. of Bangor; eldest daughter, Elizabeth Baldacci and her husband, Joseph, of Bangor; her twins, Joseph T. Walsh III and his wife, Amy, of Houston, and Mary “Mimi” Gallo and her husband, Jay, of Brookline, Mass.; youngest daughter, Margaret Holzhacker and her husband, Robert, of Freeport; and eight grandchildren, Hayley K. Holzhacker, Caroline E. Baldacci, Nicholas R. Gallo, Robert P. Holzhacker, Alexandra G. Walsh, Patrick W. Gallo, Olivia M. Baldacci and Marie Claire Walsh. The family expresses their deepest gratitude for the excellent loving care of Katherine and her family provided by Sister Mary Norberta and the kind nurses at St. Joseph Hospital.
Relatives and friends are welcome to visit 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share memories and refreshments afterward at St. Mary’s Parish Center. For those who wish, Katherine may be remembered in a special way by making a memorial gift to St. Joseph Hospital, 360 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401 or All Saints Catholic School, 768 Ohio St., Bangor, ME 04401.