Katherine Ruth (Fallon) Smalley

Rocky Point, NC and Burlington, VT -- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful mom, Katherine Ruth (Fallon) Smalley.  She was an amazing mom, grandma, wife, sister, aunt and friend to those who were lucky enough to know her.  We are heartbroken at losing her so suddenly, but our hearts are full knowing she is once again with our dad, William (Bill) Smalley, who passed just 10 months to the day of her passing.

Mom often said her greatest happiness was being a mom and grandma. She was always there for everyone of us and we felt her love through all of our trials and tribulations. She was always our biggest cheerleader.  She took great care to make sure those who needed at a specific time, had her utmost attention. We felt your love Mom, and you will be incredibly missed.

Katherine was born in Burlington, Vermont on September 21, 1932. She was the youngest of four children and the only girl. She and her brothers could often be found at their Dad’s butcher shop known as Hal’s Market (today it would be known as Ake’s Place on Church Street). She graduated from Burlington High School in 1950, where she excelled at basketball and was a majorette in the school marching band.  

Upon graduating from BHS, Mom went to work at Burlington Savings Bank and that started her long career in the banking industry. On April 18, 1953, she married our Dad, William (Bill) Smalley and they started their married life together moving to the Midwest, living in Michigan, Indiana and finally making their home in Minnesota. Mom worked for First Minneapolis for several years, moving up the ranks. In 1977, Mom and Dad moved back to Burlington, Vermont where she continued to be a working mom, raising the family and working full time at Burlington Savings Bank. Again, Mom moved up the ranks and leading many employees through several conversions when merging Burlington Saving Bank merged to Bank of Vermont, Bank of Boston, and KeyBank. Mom retired as an Executive Vice President in 1995.  After retirement, Mom volunteered at Fletcher Allen Healthcare working with interpreters and translators. In 2003, Mom and Dad retired to Rocky Point, North Carolina.

Mom loved being a grandma and enjoyed talking with and seeing her grandkids, and she took great pride in all of their achievements. She never forgot a birthday or a special occasion. She always made time for her grandkids. She loved to get their emails, loved to FaceTime with them, and of course message all of us through Facebook. She was quite an amazing lady.

She was a great sports fan and loved to talk about any kind of sport, especially basketball, football, tennis and golf. She was an avid Celtics fan (Larry Bird was her hero) and rooted for Duke University. She enjoyed Sunday football with our Dad, and especially when the Vikings or Panthers were on.  Mom was a fantastic cook and loved having her family around her table for the holidays, special occasions or just for coffee or a Fresca. Mom also loved reading and would often finish a book before any of us got through the first chapter. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was so quick witted. She loved to laugh.

She leaves her six kids: Her daughter Karen Staerkel, and her husband, Rich, of Wilmington, NC, her sons Richard Smalley of Brooklyn Park, MN and Mark Smalley of Tenants Harbor, ME, daughters Brenda Smalley of Belle Plaine, MN, Diane Casey of Colchester, VT and Alison Johnson, and her husband Chris, of Burlington, VT. She also leaves her grandkids: Bryan Staerkel, Lucas Smalley, Katelyn Smalley, Sean Casey, Jessica Smalley, Ryan Casey, Gunnison Smalley, and Mikayla Johnson.

Additionally, she leaves her brothers Robert Fallon of Duxbury, MA and Richard Fallon and his wife Barbara of Venice, FL. She also leaves her best friend since 7th Grade, Mary Lou Ashton of Colchester, VT.

Mom was predeceased by our Dad, who passed this year on January 8th. She was also predeceased by her brother, John (Jack) Fallon, her sister-in-law Shirley Fallon, and her nephew David Fallon.   

Mom, we were incredibly lucky to have had you in our corner, always cheering us on. You will be missed by many and remembered ALWAYS.

A joint service for our parents will be held in Burlington, Vermont in the Spring.

Mom loved her animals and adopted many from shelters. Please consider a donation in her memory to either the Humane Society of Chittenden County or Pender County Humane Society.