Mary Kathryn "Kate" King

Mary Kathryn King (Kate) of Terre Haute, IN joined her beloved husband Tom and daughter Ginny in the embrace of our Lord on Wednesday, December 2nd at 11:22am.   She is survived by her only remaining sister, Carolyn Lanning and her husband Don of South Carolina; By her sister-in-law Phyllis Milner (Walter), her brother-in-Law Joseph King (Becky) and another sister--in-law Joan Haring (Mike);  her children Mary, Deanna, Debbie (Brian) and Tom, all from Terre Haute; by her 7 grandchildren, Justin, Benjamin, Thomas, Kathryn, Aaron, Margaret Mary and Emma Kate; by her great-grandchildren, Riley and Taylor.

Kate was born in Seelyville to Lydia and Harry Milner and was one of 10 children.  She graduated from Glenn High School where she met and soon thereafter married Thomas Frederick King.  Together they built a life, a family and a business in Crown Electric and positively impacted the lives of everyone they met.

Kate embodied the very definition of a grandmother as she showered her loved ones with daily gifts, the greatest of which was her welcoming smile whenever they came to visit.  Kate’s house on Keane Lane was the meeting point for all as her door was forever open and her pantry always stocked.   Her kindness was exceeded only by the warmth of her hugs and she never failed to feed a hungry mouth or repair a damaged article of clothing.  She possessed a sharp wit and a sharper competitive edge as anyone brave enough to sit with her at the card table can attest.

Sunday dinner was never a gourmet affair as Kate was more comfortable with paper plates than China, but as so many who shared a meal at her table will confirm, the food was always five star worthy!  The smells of fried chicken, home-made noodles and baked ham filled her kitchen and whetted every appetite.   Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter provided endless calories and left-overs as strangers were welcomed like family.  In truth, Kate knew no strangers as any friend of her children will tell you, she became a second mother to all and relished the role.

Kate may have presented a tough exterior but anyone who knew her saw only the softness of her heart and the kindness of her deeds.   She talked little about her faith, but spoke loudly through her actions and lived daily, the corporal works of mercy;  She fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the needy, tended the poor and less fortunate, visited the infirmed, nursed the sick and sadly, buried family members.   She set the example for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on how to quietly and lovingly put the needs of others before their own. To know Kate was to know love and all who met her were bathed in her kindness.  Kate will be missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, December 9, 2020 in St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Dan Bedel officiating.  Visitation is scheduled prior to services from 10:00 AM -12:00 Noon in the church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25 ^th Street.  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donation be made to the Patriots Supporting Patriots gift program which was started by Kate’s grandchild and which she supported yearly; care of Terre Haute North Vigo High School, 3434 Maple Ave, Terre Haute, IN 47804.  Funeral information is also available at www.callahanandhughes.com .