Katharine "Kathie" Harris, Former Faculty and Past Parent

12/12/2025

Katharine "Kathie" Harris, of Bridgeport, Conn., former long-time faculty member and past parent, died at the age of 84.

Kathie and her late husband, Jon Harris, who died in 2012, are survived by a daughter, Hamden Hall alumna, Lynn Harris Olins, Class of 1985, two grandchildren, Sam and Matthew Olins, and extended family.

Kathie retired in June 2007 after 33 years on campus. As many of you know, she continued for a number of years after that in several capacities including directing some of the Lower School plays and productions. She began her tenure at Hamden Hall in 1974 as a PreK teacher and immediately took over the school's Christmas Pageant, the tapping of the maple trees for syrup, and the Valentine Bake Sale which still continues as an annual event. Kathie also rewrote the PreK curriculum to include music and from there, the tradition of singing "C is for Cookie" and "Boogie Woogie Ghost" became an annual staple that continues today. Another fun initiative she started in the late 1970s was the Holiday Ding-A-Lings Assembly, an event that featured the musical offerings of faculty and staff.

Kathie eventually left her classroom in favor of the Admissions Office, where she served for several years as admissions assistant before being named Director of Lower School Admissions in 1998.

In 2017 an endowment fund was established in honor of Kathie and Jon, the Jon and Katharine Harris Endowed Chair of Lower School Music. To make a donation to this fund in Kathie's memory, please click here.

The Hamden Hall community extends heartfelt condolences to Lynn and her family during this difficult time. Kathie will be missed.

Please read on for Kathie's obituary.

Katharine “Kathie” Harris, age 84, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Kathie was born in Port Chester, New York, to the late Florence and Charles Wortley. She was a graduate of Port Chester High School and went on to earn both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Central Connecticut State University. She met and married the love of her life, the late Jon Harris, and together they made their home in Meriden, Connecticut. Teaching was Kathie’s lifelong passion. She founded St. Andrew’s Nursery School in Meriden and later found her professional home at Hamden Hall Country Day School, where she devoted 33 years of service. Beginning as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, she later became Director of Lower School Admissions. Along the way, she shared her love of music by teaching music classes and directing numerous lower school musicals and productions that brought joy to generations of students. Beyond the classroom, Kathie served as President of the Board of the Curtis Home in Meriden and was a frequent presenter at National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conferences, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for early childhood education. Retirement in 2007 did not slow her down. After moving to The Watermark in Bridgeport, she quickly became an active member of the residents’ chorus, where she mounted many unforgettable shows. Kathie loved the New York Times crossword puzzle and could outplay just about anyone in the singing game Encore.

Kathie is survived by her daughter, Lynn Harris Olins, and her husband, David; her grandchildren, Sam Mahler and his partner, Brenna Finegan, and Matthew Olins; her sister, Carol Watson; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat, Lucy. In addition to her parents and her husband, Kathie was predeceased by her brother, her three sisters, and her cherished brother-in-law, Bob Watson.

A celebration of Kathie’s life will be held on Sunday, December 21, at 1:00 p.m. at Dougiello Fairfield Funeral Home, 36 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jon & Katharine Harris Endowed Chair of Lower School Music Fund at Hamden Hall.

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