Mary Kathleen Larson

PAID FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013 FOR KLINGEL-CARPENTER MORTUARY WITH PIC Kathleen O'Donnell Maspero Larson died on the morning of August 3, 2013. She was born May 4, 1934 in Northampton, MA the daughter of the late Thomas and Katherine Shannon O'Donnell. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband Joseph Maspero of Northampton, MA. She is a graduate of Northampton High School. Kathy worked at the U. of Massachusetts Library at Amherst and attended Worcester Junior College. As a young widow, she continued her education at Texas Woman's University receiving a BA and MLS degree. She was hired as reference librarian at Marshall University in 1967 and later was the Coordinator of Extension Services for the Cabell County Public Library. She taught CCD Classes at Our Lady of Fatima and was a member of the American Library Association, West Virginia Library Association, and the West Virginia Arts and Crafts Guild. She served on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House, the Huntington Symphony Orchestra and the Friends of the Cabell County Library. Kathy was a member of the Pilot Club (Serving as President 2004-2005), Marshall University Faculty Wives Club; and Huntington Woman's Club. None of the "accomplishments" give the real essence of her life, which is "a zest for life" that infected in everyone who knew her. Kathy leaves her husband John Larson, married for 42 years, a daughter Diane Gehers and her husband Eric, two precious and adorable grandchildren, otherwise known as Chloe and Jack, and a brother, Judge Bob O'Donnell of Dallas Texas. One of Kathy's Favorite Movies was "It's a Wonderful Life". Kathy and her family lived a real life version of it and would like to thank all the people who contributed making a silver lining on the dark cloud caused by the maladies of the 4 year long colon cancer illness and its treatment. Among those who made the last years more bearable were the parishioners of Fatima parish, the water aerobics group at the YMCA, and many dear friends. Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 am, Friday August 9 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church by Father Paul Yuenger. Interment will follow at Woodmere Memorial Park. Visitation will be 4 to 6 pm, Thursday August 8 at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary, with a Vigil service at 4 pm.