Katherine C. Hovland

Katherine Carmichael Hovland, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully in Severna Park, Maryland on April 11, leaving a legacy of love, beauty, giving and entertaining. Kathy was born in High Point, North Carolina on June 5, 1926 to Albert and Joyce Carter Carmichael. Having lost her mother to illness at the age of 7, Kathy had four wonderful aunts who became gracious, southern role models. Kathy started working for the WWII War Records Department at the High Point Furniture Mart during high school. When the records were moved to St Louis, Missouri, in 1945, Kathy and two friends, at the age of 18, took a train to St Louis to continue their war efforts. It was here that Kathy met the love of her life, Henry Howard Hovland. Henry was discharged from the Army in St Louis after the war. They met on a blind date and never looked back. After their wedding, they moved to Henry’s home in New York City. Then off to California they went just in the nick of time for Eric to be born. Woodland Hills, California brought joys Debbie and Sharon (via a quick business stint in Pontiac, Michigan) into her life. It was here that Kathy founded, and was the first President of, the Woodland Hills Junior Women’s League, was a Brownie Scout Leader and a school volunteer. In 1960, Kathy and Henry were transferred to the Washington D.C. area. After a short stint living at Congressional Country Club, they settled in Bethesda, Maryland and then Potomac, Maryland. They raised their three children with an abundance of activities. Outside of the numerous school activities, there was boating and skiing on the Potomac River, yachting and crabbing at the Chesapeake Yacht Club, swimming and golf at River Road Country Club, wrangling dogs, cats and horses at home and summer vacations travelling across country to see friends in California. Kathy found time in her busy social life to work at Bullis Prep School, Herbert Hoover Jr High and Richard Montgomery High School. The Retirement years on Kent Island really brought out her charitable nature. She volunteered with the Republican National Committee, Kent Island Garden Club, KI Historic Society, KI Federation of Art, KI United Methodist Church and, for 25 years, she helped found and volunteer for, Queen Anne’s Estate Treasurers, an effort to support Compass Regional Hospice care through a resale shop run by volunteers. In 2006 they were able to establish and break ground on a building with over $1million in donations. Anyone who came in contact with Kathy immediately was drawn to her gorgeous smile and the twinkle in her eyes. She could carry on a conversation with anyone, would say the most hilarious things and loved an inside joke. She was the first to bake cookies, a cake or a casserole for friends and family. Her crab cakes were the best on the Island. She loved playing golf and excelled in playing bridge. Kathy entertained with grace and charm. As one friend said at her 90th Birthday Surprise Birthday Party, “Kathy is a perfect Southern lady in all the right ways and has the manners to put Queen Elizabeth to shame…a little woman who makes a big impression”. Kathy was a devoted mother to Eric J Hovland (and Carol), Debra H Clark (and Mike) and Sharon H. Allan (and Richard). She was loved by her Grandchildren, Allison Hovland, Jayson Allan (and Lynn), Whitney Reed (and Patrick), Melissa Strom (and Matt), Meaghan Twigg (and Josh), Blair Harder (and Jon), and Tyler Allan (and Laura). Kathy cherished her Great Grandchildren, Julian, Jack, Logan, Lucas, Michael, Harper, George, Josie, Wyatt, Riley, Camden, Jackson, Maddox, Callie and Jordan, Aeryn and Timber. A Private Family Service will be held at Helfenbein Funeral Home in Chester, MD 21619 In lieu of Flowers, should you wish to make a donation to a charity in Kathy’s memory, please consider a contribution to: Compass Regional Hospice, 160 Coursevall Drive, Centerville, MD 21617 www.compassregionalhospice.org

Katherine C. Hovland

June 5, 1926 - April 11, 2025