Catherine Ann Hayden

Catherine Ann Hayden passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 29, 2024, with her loving family by her side. Catherine was born on January 15, 1929, to the late Margaret Belle (Yates) Wathen and the late George Roger Wathen, in Leonardtown, MD, where she lived her entire life. She graduated from Margaret Brent High School in Morganza, MD. Catherine married Jarrett Speith on April 6, 1947. They were married for 19 years, until his death in 1966. Together they were blessed with four children. Catherine is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Clara Speith of Leonardtown, MD and Patricia Speith Bragg (Mat) of Richmond, VA, her grandchildren, Madeline Bragg (Jordan Johnson), Liesel Bragg, Jesse Humphries (Sarah), Jarrett Speith, and her great grandchildren, Lancelot Humphries and Evangeline Humphries. She was preceded in death by her sons, James Anthony Speith and Walter Rupert Speith. Catherine was the last surviving member of her large family; in addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her nine siblings; James Gwyn Wathen, Robert Clarence Wathen, George Roger Wathen Jr., Rebecca Ruth Proffit, Ramona Marie Hayden, Grace Cecelia Mattingly, Mary Rita DeLozier, Alice Teresa Cromwell, and Frances Elizabeth Owens. On September 15, 1967, Catherine married Charles Benedict "Dick" Hayden and from that time forward she was known fondly as "Kate", a name lovingly bestowed upon her by her loving husband. They were inseparable until his death on August 15, 2002. Kate and Dick spent 35 years together and truly enjoyed the company of one another. One of their favorite memories was an extended cross-country trip to California with their good friends, Junior and Jean Buckler. Kate was a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom until her children were grown. She then became a nursing assistant and worked at St. Mary’s Nursing Center for a number of years before providing home care for the elderly and the infirmed. Kate enjoyed her life as a homemaker and was famous for her ability to preserve and can food---if it would fit in a Mason jar, she would can it. She was a great cook and enjoyed passing on her talents, tips, tricks, and recipes on to others. She was an avid gardener, and her garden successes were envied by many. She could skin, clean, butcher, and cook (and of course can) any game that was brought her way and was known to be an excellent shot herself. I once heard it said of her that "she would skin a gnat for its hide if she could think of something to do with it". She was a gracious host, often holding summer family gatherings and holiday brunches, and would always set a place for whomever happened by. She was loved by all who knew her and will truly be missed. The family will receive friends for a Memorial Service on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 12:00 noon in the Matingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. Interment will be private. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.