Katherine Dietrich Harrison

Katherine Dietrich Harrison died peacefully in her sleep on May 31, at the Oaks at Mayview. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 3, 1924. She attended Central High School, where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in three years as an English major in 1945. There, she met her future husband, Walton Harrison. While he finished medical school at Vanderbilt, she worked as a stewardess, flying DC – 3’s for American Airlines.

Katherine and Walton married in 1946 and pursued his residency years in Beverly Hills, California, and Champaigne, Illinois, settling into practice at The Children’s Clinic in Jackson, Tennessee. There she transformed a spacious antebellum house into a warm inviting home where she raised four children and several generations of collies. In addition to being a voracious reader and sharp bridge player, Katherine loved gardening, often digging up and sharing special plants (especially Lillies of the Valley, which thrived in her yard) with the gardens of her friends and children. One of Katherine’s more serious activities was her commitment to public education in her community. She was appointed to a state-wide board created by Governor Lamar Alexander to review all levels of education and to recommend needed changes.

Katherine’s commitment and self-sacrifice to her husband, her four children, and her friends were remarkable. She maintained dear friends across the country and abroad. Her love for her church was deep and constant, being active with First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, and then joining White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, where she moved in 2008 to be closer to family.

Katherine is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years. Left to cherish her memory are her four children, Cindy Anderson and her husband, Howard, of Chevy Chase, MD, Nancy Cate of Murphy, NC, Jeff Harrison and his wife Louise, of Eugene OR, and Cecelia Condrey and her husband, Mike, of Raleigh; grandchildren , Wesley Cate, David Anderson and his wife Liz Vivas, Kate Anderson, David and Bonnie Jackson, and Sarah Walton, Dee and Camille Condrey.

A memorial service will be held in Raleigh at a future date at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be made to Hospice of Wake County or White Memorial Presbyterian.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Mayview for their care and compassion over the last few years. Her nurses and caregivers were warm, kind and loving, and they are much appreciated by Katherine’s loved ones.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St.