Katherine Munter Derr

DERR Katherine Munter Derr, 77, died peacefully under hospice care on Sunday, December 15th after an extended illness. Preceded in death by two daughters and two brothers, she is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Captain Phaon B. Derr, Jr., U.S. Navy, (Ret.), by three loving children, Patricia D. Shaw, Phaon Derr, III and W. Christopher Derr, and by eight adoring grandchildren, as well as by her sister, Gloria M. Gustafson, her brother, Theodore Munter and by many nieces, nephews and godchildren. Born in Washington, D.C. on July 23, 1925, eldest child of Judge and Mrs. Godfrey L. Munter, she first came to Jacksonville in 1961 when her husband was assigned to a squadron at NAS Jacksonville. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and a Master of Science degree in Psychology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Upon graduation from Sweet Briar in 1947 she married then Lieutenant Phaon Derr and for the ensuing 26 years of his Navy career dedicated herself to being a full-time “ Navy wife” and community volunteer while moving about the country and overseas to thirteen different locations. She was an inspiration and comfort to her husband, her three children and her many friends. A founding member of Hospice of Northeast Florida, now Community Hospice, she was a full-time volunteer in that organization throughout its early years of development. She was known for her counseling skills, her compassionate devotion to her patients and her unfailing sense of humor. A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5752 Blanding Blvd. at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 20. A Funeral Mass and inurnment will take place at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD at a later date. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church 5752 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL where she was a faithful communicant. HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, Edgewood. Please sign the Guestbook at Jacksonville.com