Kathryn Mauldin Herrick

1947 - 2025

Kathryn Mauldin Herrick

October 23, 1947 - May 6, 2025

Modesto, California - Kathryn passed peacefully on May 6, 2025, with her husband of 50-plus years, Jeff, by her side. Kathryn, who was a lifelong teacher and a "gift to elementary students," spent the last few months of her life in hospice. Kathryn taught youngsters in St. Croix (Virgin Islands), in California at South Lake Tahoe, Fresno, Yucca Valley, Huntington Beach, Walnut Creek and in Ceres, where she taught at Caswell Elementary School for 23 years before retiring in 2007.

Kathryn was a 1965 graduate of Vacaville High School and a 1969 graduate of California State University at Sacramento. She was an honors student at both. Kathryn is survived by her husband Donald Jeffrey Herrick, brother Tom Mauldin (Cat) of Oregon, brother-in-law John Herrick (Kim) of Modesto, nephews Ryan Mauldin (Grace) of Modesto and Josh Bradley (Jill) of Oregon and nieces Brittany Herrick of Napa, Alysson Satterlund (Travis) of San Diego, Melissa Boeger (Cade) of Texas and Kelly (Brian) Ness of Hesperia, Jil Dickison (Craig) of Oregon and Jenni Bradley (Matt Sandman) of Washington. And uncle Ted Shehan (Rhonda) of South Carolina and sister-in-law Debbie Mauldin (Modesto). Kathryn is preceded in death by her parents Mason and Margaret Mauldin, her brother Robert Mauldin and nephew Derek Mauldin.

Kathryn was born Oct. 23, 1947 in Key West (FL) and spent her youthful years in Pickens (SC), Germany and France before attending Willis Jepson Junior High School in Vacaville and graduating from Vacaville High School with honors in 1965. Many of Kathryn's fondest memories in life took place in Pickens, the birthplace of her mother. She loved hearing stories from Uncle Ted and granddaddy Shehan, as well as those of her father, documented or not. Kathryn loved baseball and always pulled for the San Francisco Giants. And she was a fan of Clemson University. Kathryn and her husband Jeff were avid hikers and enjoyed the coast, both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, rivers and valleys. They shared a love of nature for 50-plus years. They had a January wedding in a meadow in Yosemite National Park. In addition to her many years as a private and public school teacher, Kathryn and her husband, Jeff, were volunteer cottage parents at the Queen Louis Home for Children in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Their two-year tenure there was among Kathryn's greatest accomplishments and joys. Queen Louise Home for Children is a temporary placement in a family setting where children receive love and support, as well as tutoring, recreational activities, and guidance in overall skill development. The goal is with the hope that the children are reunited with family members or placed in a foster home. Kitty and Jeff worked feverishly to reach the school's goal of reuniting the children with family members or placement in a foster home.

Kathryn, known as Kitty most of her life, and Jeff were avid supporters of not only children, but anyone in need. In 2014, they were honored by the Ceres Unified School District as Volunteers of the Year.

Per Kathryn's wishes, no service will be held. Kathryn has asked that anyone who wishes to donate to a charity in her name to please do so to the Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and to local animal shelters.