Kathryn Bonnie Hassett

Kathryn Bonnie Hassett (Riggs) died at her home in Merced, California on Thursday, August 26, 2021, after a seven-year battle with cancer. She was 68 years young.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Frank “Flip” Hassett; their children Heather Shepherd (Kelcey) and Frank Hassett (Amber); and siblings Karen Davey (Erwin), Curtis Riggs (Gaye) all of Merced and Kraig Riggs (Robin) of Tahoe, California. She was preceded in death by her parents Ken Riggs and Midge Riggs, sister Judy Smith (Gary) as well as her granddaughter Jaylin Shepherd.

Kathy was born on April 14, 1953, in Merced, California. Graduating from Merced High School in 1971, she went on to attend California State University at Fresno, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences in 1975 and then receiving her Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology (with an emphasis on Marriage and Family) at the University of San Francisco in 1982.

Flip and Kathy originally met when Kathy, as a sixth grader, was a timer at the Skimmers swim meets and Flip was the team’s swim coach. Having made an early impression on each other, their paths crossed again when Kathy (now 18) and Flip (24) reconnected during the first week of school at Fresno State. They dated throughout her four years at college while Flip coached at Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club.

Both returned to Merced in 1975 where Kathy began her career in Social Services with Merced County and Flip continued to coach swimming and water polo. Kathy married Flip Hassett on September 13, 1975.

They were blessed with children Heather in 1977 and Frank in 1979. During that time both families (Hassett and Riggs) displayed a strong appreciation for family traditions and connections as many cousins would visit and spend time in Merced.

Kathy, adventurous in spirit, loved the outdoors, travel and new experiences. She white-water rafted many of the Class 5 rivers in the West and made many lifelong friends when both she and Flip rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. She was a talented athlete — water skiing with her Dad and brother Kraig in Lake Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and snow skiing with friends at Badger, China Peak and Tahoe resorts and with brother-in-law Steve Hassett at Aspen and Snowmass resorts.

Kathy finally retired after a 35-year career with Merced County, culminating in her position as Director of Human Services. Joined by Flip, she continued her passion for travel, going on many sea cruises (Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Panama Canal, and the Caribbean) and river cruises with fellow Mercedians to France, Normandie and the Swiss Alps. Her favorite cruise was a Disney Cruise (2018) to Cabo San Lucas where she and Flip took all their children and grandchildren, and delighted in their company as the children laughed and giggled with all the Disney characters —Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the whole cast of characters!

During her career and her time in Merced, Kathy was involved with many community groups including: League of Women Voters, Leadership Merced – Class 14, United Way, the Hospital Assistance League, MCMC Foundation, Federal Emergency Management Team, Continuity of Care Committee, Specialized Management Area Response Team, Adult Services Committee and CalWorks Advisory Committee. At the state level, Kathy was an active and respected member of the following three Associations: Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Human Services Directors.

Even though Kathy was in a profession that often revealed people at their worst, she never lost her faith in humanity, choosing instead to see the dignity in clients, coworkers and friends alike. She will be remembered for her warm smile, her sparkling wit, and her deep love for children, family, and community. She was admired for the grace and kindness she displayed throughout her life and she will be tremendously missed by family, friends and all who ever knew her.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be at: 1025 Rambler Road Merced, CA 95348 On Sunday, October 10, 2021 6:00 PM