Katharine Parkhurst Dodd

Katharine Parkhurst Dodd of Leominster, Massachusetts and formerly of Petersham, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the age of 96. She was born on November 16, 1928, the daughter of Elizabeth Lukens and Joseph Lanius Parkhurst, the third child, along with her 3 brothers Joseph, Malcolm and Richard.
Katharine graduated in 1946 from Rahway High School in New Jersey. She then attended and graduated from Syracuse University in 1950, with her B.A. in Music degree, and also was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. While at Syracuse, she met her future husband, Donald H. Dodd to whom she was later married on March 24, 1951.
For Katharine, along with her marriage and with her husband, came her children, to whom she was lovingly dedicated to raising and supporting her whole life. With that, came many wonderful family gatherings along with relatives near and far, with vacations, filled with musical sing-a-longs, fun, and much love. This tradition was a continuation very similar to the celebrations together as she was growing up in her parents home.
Katharine's love of music started with playing piano her whole life, and became fulfilled in her 50 years using her music as ministry to serve the Lord as organist and choir director in 6 churches, most notably 12 years at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Armonk, NY. She was also a member of the American Guild of Organists for over 40 years. Her love of music was also enjoyed, heartfelt, and transmitted that love to others, especially with her playing the music at many family weddings.
Katharine's family was her pride and joy, and she is survived by her sons Stephen Dodd and his wife Patricia, James Dodd and his wife Lisa, and daughter Suzanne Tattan and her husband Glenn; sister-in-laws Mary Elizabeth Parkhurst and Carol Parkhurst. Her legacy also continues through her nine grandchildren, Melissa Ott, Lindsay Lambert, Sarah Price, Katharine Tattan, Daniel Tattan, Jessica Thibodeau, William Tattan, Joshua Dodd, and Peter Tattan; as well as her nine great-grandchildren, Emma, Camden, Cadee, Harper, Callie, Niomi, Wesley, Graylon and Alexander. Katharine is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Katharine, continuing her family's way, was very loving and gracious to all, and we hold her memory very dear. Now she has gone "home" to be with her husband, and has been reunited in peace with her parents and siblings whom she missed so deeply after their passing. May her memory be a blessing, that we may carry forth her legacy of love as we go forth.
A memorial service will be held Saturday September 6, 2025 in the chapel at Hazelwood Cemetery, Rahway, NJ beginning at 10:30 am, followed by a graveside internment for her burial next to her husband Donald in the Parkhurst family plot.
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