Catherine N. "Kay" Harder

Catherine N. "Kay" Harder born June 29, 1926 in San Francisco, Catherine passed away peacefully and with grace on December 14, 2012 in Carmichael, CA with her family around her. Catherine, better known as Kay, was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Leslie Harder, Sr., by her mother, Catherine G. Sullivan, and by her beloved brother, Raymond Sullivan. She is survived by her four sons: Les, Jr. (Kathy), (Susan), Mark (Linda), Brian (Kathy), and John; and by her four grandchildren: Adrienne, Joshua, Thomas, and David Harder. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Pat Sullivan and Charlotte Harder, and by her three nephews: Ray Jr., Ken, and Jeff Sullivan.
Kay grew up in San Francisco during the Depression serving as part bread winner of the family and raising her brother, Ray. She delighted in the City with its different neighborhoods, fog, sea air, and vitality. She was a proud and hard working secretary and while working at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco she met her husband. She quit working to raise her four sons in Walnut Creek. With her secretarial skills, she expertly managed the household circus of 4 boys. She was always quite organized and impressed upon her sons the need for hard work, education, and organization.
Kay and her husband loved celebrating the holidays with family and summer pool parties, barbeques, and poker with friends. After moving to Sacramento, she and her husband often went to Reno to play Keno and the slot machines. She also enjoyed the Scratchers that her son, John, would often give to her. She was an avid bowler (bowled a perfect game) and continued to play tennis until recently. She thoroughly enjoyed crossword puzzles, mysteries, reading in general, the old Perry Mason television series, and even Star Trek.
Kay will be dearly missed. Her family will spread her ashes in a private ceremony at the right moment in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army.