Catherine Hammond

HAMMOND Catherine Corter Cooper, 91, died Monday, Jan 7, of complications from a fall. She was the only child of the late Essie Mae Burgan Cooper and Thomas Poe Cooper, Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, 1918-1952. She is survived by son Thomas Taylor Hammond (wife Sheilagh Rogan Hammond) and daughter Susan Elaine Hammond (husband Gerald Smith), both of Lexington, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Catherine was born June 8, 1921. She was a graduate of University High, Lexington, and held both B.S. and M.S. degrees from UK. She received the Human Environmental Sciences Centennial Laureate award from the College of Agriculture and was a University of Kentucky Fellow, a Scovell & Erikson Society Member and Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society Member. She was a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church. Over the years she served the church in many capacities: Chancel Choir member (58 years), pastoral search committees and, like her father before her, Chair of the Board of Trustees, to name a few. She served as head dietitian at Central Baptist Hospital, 1952-1976, and was a member of the American Dietetic Assn. Catherine's passions were many. She loved nature and was an ardent environmentalist. Her parents instilled in her a love of gardening and of all animals. She developed a special appreciation for orchids and helped form and lead both the Central Kentucky Orchid Society and the Bluegrass Orchid Society. She was a tremendous fan of UK sports and interested in many sports. She loved travel and for many years took annual trips with friends. Her skill as a photographer is obvious in her pictures of flowers, pets and faraway places. Her needlepoint, sewing, knitting and crewel embroidery grace the homes and bodies of family and friends. Lessons in piano and voice during her youth led Catherine to a love of classical music and to learn as an adult to play the organ with lessons from her friend Priscilla Hepburn. Like her music and her church, Catherine's friends and family sustained her in sad times and gave her many reasons to celebrate. All will miss her, but will carry in their hearts the lessons her love and her life taught them. Funeral services will be 2pm Friday at the Second Presbyterian Church with burial to follow in the Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6pm Thursday at Milward -Southland. Contributions are suggested to the Lexington Humane Society, 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504. www.milwardfuneral.com