Katharine Johanna Murray Lalonde

Katharine Johanna Murray LaLonde died at home surrounded by her loving family on April 28, 2016. She was born to Charlotte and William Murray on March 22, 1931 in Watertown, NY and raised in Clayton, NY.

She was predeceased by her parents, Charlotte Rattray Murray and William Murray, her sister Alicia Cain, and her loving husband L. Merle LaLonde.
She is survived by her children Mary Katharine, Patricia, William Murray (Cindy), and Thomas LaLonde and her grandchildren Brian Daniel, Amy Allynne (Zach Paley), Alex Michael, Nicholas Merle, Mark Lawrence and Megan Katharine LaLonde.

She was a graduate of RIT in 1953 with a degree in Retailing.. Mom's hobbies were shopping, traveling, being on the St. Lawrence River, and spending time with her family and friends.
It was always told that our grandmother knew that our mom and dad would marry when our uncle came home one day (when our parents were only 6), to tell his mom that our dad kissed our mom behind the church that day!

Mom came to Ithaca as a bride in 1955, when our dad began his studies at Cornell. In 1960, she moved to Arecibo, PR for five years while the Arecibo Observatory was being built. She loved living in PR met many wonderful friends, learned to cook amazing Puerto Rican dishes and to drink Rum and Cokes. The family returned to Ithaca in 1965 to the 2 story colonial home she always wanted, and lived in to her death.


Mom was involved in PTA, on the Parish Council, a "class mother and team mom for swimming, softball and hockey" for us kids.
Blessed to have all of her grandchildren within 10 miles of her, she was able to attend many games, concerts, plays and class activities for each of them.
Her grandchildren were her life. The birth of each child brought renewed life to her. She loved each and every one of you till the end.


Many thanks to the staff at CMC, to the folks at Hospicare, and to Nichole from Comfort Keepers for the loving care provided to her over the last few weeks.
Memorial donations can be given to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to Sr. Catherine of Siena Church or to Hospicare.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Catherine of Siena church on Saturday, April 30 at 10:00am. Visitation will be held prior to the mass beginning at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.