Obituaries

Kathryn S. Hildreth

Kathryn S. Hildreth, of Westwood, Mass., died April 20 at her home in Fox Hill Village. She was 103.

Born Oct. 31, 1909, to Dr. Clarence Hawthorne and Ruth (Clarke) Staples, she was raised in Malden, Mass., attended local schools and spent one year at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., before graduating from Wellesley College in 1931.

After graduation she taught high school English and Latin, where she met and married Pierson R. Hildreth. The couple moved to Amityville, where she was active as a substitute teacher and served as an executive with the Girl Scout Council. They later moved to Southold, where Ms. Hildreth rowed every day and sailed with her husband on Long Island Sound. The couple also traveled throughout the world together until Mr. Hildreth’s death in 1983. Ms. Hildreth continued traveling into her early 90s.

A devoted alumna of Wellesley College, she spoke at fundraisers and attended reunions, including her 75th. According to family she enjoyed the Boston Symphony, Red Sox games, reading, playing bridge and spending time with family. In 2012 she was awarded the Boston Post Cane by the town of Westwood as its oldest resident.

Ms. Hildreth was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Clarke Staples, and her sister, Janet Staples Miles. She is survived by three generations of beloved nieces and nephews, many of whom celebrated her 100th birthday with her.

Services will be held Monday, May 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dedham, Mass., where Ms. Hildreth was a member.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 59 Court St., Dedham, MA 02026 or Wellesley College, Office of Resources, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02481.