Katharine "Kathie" Harris, Former Faculty and Past Parent

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.

There is no obituary available at this time. We will share the arrangement details on this page as we learn of them. Please check back.

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