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Katherine Brogden Obituary

Katherine Bridget (Higgins) Brogden

Nashviille - Katherine Bridget (Higgins) Brogden 3/18/1927 - 12/3/2020

Kitty as most knew her, left this life to be with her husband Morris, parents Margaret and John Higgins, brothers Jack, Tom and sister Bitsy in Heaven. She will also be glad to see her son Ed who went before her.

She leaves behind her children John Brogden, Katherine Freeman, Margaret Petre (Charles) and Mary Oxley (Art) who grieve her loss but are glad she did not suffer unduly and was safe and well cared for. She leaves behind grandchildren Megen Channell Ahues, Meta Channell Bowers, Will Channell, Kyle Williams, Elizabeth Oxley, Katherine Oxley, and Casey Sandell. Great Grandchildren are Trey Bowers, Myra Bowers, Leah Bowers and Anna Ahues.

Kitty was a lifelong communicant of the Cathedral of Incarnation and attended Elementary school there. She was Baptized, received Her First Holy Communion, Confirmation and was Married at the Cathedral of Incarnation. She attended Peabody Demonstration School and received her Undergraduate Degree in Education from Peabody College. During WWII she served in the Civilian Air Corps keeping the skies above Davidson County free of Nazis. In addition to caring for 5 children she also taught part time in several Parochial schools.

Being the daughter of an Irish Immigrant she never gave up her joy in traveling the world often to Ireland. She had the honor and privilege of being a key genealogical link between the cousins in Ireland and the ones of us here.

She was a friend to those lucky enough to know her and a wealth of stories about Nashville especially the Irish Catholic community.

Instead of Gifts Kitty wished that any donations in her memory be made anonymously in the form of a simple act of kindness to one in need.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean from Dec. 6 to Dec. 7, 2020.

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Amanda Finneran

January 19, 2021

My husband and I met Kitty and Morris on the Nile in Egypt in 1995. They were 30 years older than us but full of the love of life. We really clicked and kept in contact so that when they finally got to Australia they got to meet our two little girls and we had a wonderful meal together near Sydney Harbour. The girls were 10 and 12. Correspondence continued and we were saddened by the loss of Morris. Kitty told us of her move out of Franklin and into her little apartment. Then in 2011 my girls and I found ourselves in Nashville so Eleanor could compete in the North American Irish Dancing Championships. Kitty came and watched her dance. Kitty took us to all her haunts in Nashville over the Fourth of July weekend and we had a lovely time and she couldn't believe the little girls were grown and married. We are saddened by her passing and the grief of Kitty's family whom we know only through her vivid letters and phone calls. A wonderful lady who will live on in our memories.

Carol Bowman

December 11, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Alan and Nickie Lancaster

December 9, 2020

There are few people in life that leave a forever impression. Kitty was one of them. She was such a positive influence, but like all Higgins, she never held back her opinion of fact and quick wit. She was a dear friend and mentor in our young HR days. She will always be in our minds and hearts. We would love to hear the conversation when she joined Bitsy and Tom.....always entertainment. A huge choir of angels must have come to greet her. Words of wisdom, she always had to share will be passed on to our family. The Lancaster- Higgins family relationships over many years are memory treasures. Terribly missed from this life.
Alan and Nickie Lancaster, Hermitage TN

Nancy and Jim Langdon

December 9, 2020

I have known Kitty since her days at St Matthews and reconnected when she moved into Park Manor both times
I loved our visits and her sharing her knowledge of the Catholic community
She did have a wealth of knowledge about Nashville and her years growing up
I will truly miss her but she is with our Lird and her loved ones

JUDY STREET

December 8, 2020

John, I am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. She sounds like a wonderful lady & great inspiration to her family. You & the family will be in my prayers for comfort.

Dianne Shaw Catignani

December 7, 2020

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Ollie Demonbreun

December 7, 2020

I will always remember Mrs. Brogden's love of genealogy, especially that of her family. I first met her & her husband, over ten years ago. She came into my place of employment and wanted to know if I could copy her genealogy chart and print copies for family members, especially her cousins in Ireland. I said sure, and she proceeded to hand me a roll of paper OVER 45 FEET LONG! Well, I made the copies & I still have the file as she would call occasionally for more copies. She was very interested in my family, as I am a direct descendant of Timothy Demonbreun, and would send me articles about my ancestors. We kept in touch through the years and I will miss our talks.
My thoughts & prayers go out to her family and I am so sorry for your loss.

Terri Graves

December 7, 2020

A true and devoted friend to me. Kitty will truly be missed by all. We had such fun times together and she was like my 2nd Mom, visiting my Mom while she was at MQA. We talked a couple of weeks ago and all we could talk about was when the pandemic was over how much we couldn’t wait to visit with each other. The memories of picking Kitty up on Saturdays and going to Mass at CTK then enjoying a simple dinner out at Martins BBQ, Dalts, o’Charlies, or just whatever we decided on. The memories will go on forever. My dear friend Kitty, enjoy Heaven, you do deserve it. Love you to the moon and back. Until we see each other again. Love and hugs, Terri

Madeline Garr

December 7, 2020

She was a steadfast anchor in my life. I will miss her deeply.

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