born at her family's home in Providence on June 30, 1920 to the late Joseph P. Cahill and Sarah (Martin) Cahill. She was the devoted wife of the late James J. Hackett and the loving mother of the late James F. Hackett.
Kathryn died peacefully at the St. Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich on Thursday, February 22nd, surrounded by her loving family. She was a resident of Cranston for 50 years before recently moving to her daughter’s home in Warwick and the Seasons Assisted Living residence in East Greenwich.
Kathryn was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy of the Visitation in Providence. She worked for the New England Telephone Co. before she married her husband James in 1944. From 1954 to 1979 Kathryn worked for Rhode Island State Controller’s Office, and in 1980 she was hired as a purchasing agent for the University of Rhode Island, School of Oceanography, including the oceanographic R/V Endeavor. Upon retiring in 1989, Kathryn was honored by the state House of Representatives for her nearly 35 years of dedicated service to Rhode Island.
The youngest of seven children, Kathryn was the sister of the late Joseph J., William F., James G., and Francis A. Cahill, Helen S. Londergan, and Mary L. Johnson.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Kathryn is survived by her loving daughter Catherine Martha Whitaker and her husband Lee R. Whitaker; her daughter-in-law Marijane Hackett of Newport, two grandsons David J. Hackett of Providence and Jonathan J. Hackett and his wife Hannah of Newport; her step-granddaughter Alexandra M. Mackin and step great-grandchildren Erin and Thomas Mackin.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 237 Garden Hills Drive, Cranston on Wednesday, February 28th at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are on Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 PM in the J F Skeffington Chapel, 925 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Amos House, 460 Pine Street, Providence, RI 02907.
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