Obituary of Katharine Gebo Shackley

Katharine Gebo Shackley, 97, passed away Friday evening, Nov. 11, 2011 at the St. Regis Nursing Home in Massena. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date; arrangements are entrusted with the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. She was born on August 3, 1914 in Winthrop, daughter of the late Carl and Ethel L. McGee Richardson. She attended Brasher Stockholm High School, graduated from Massena High School in 1932 and then graduated from Potsdam Normal. Katharine taught in area rural schools, then at St. Lawrence Central in Brasher Falls, she taught high school physical education and fourth grade, retiring in 1972. On June 16, 1937, she married Kenneth Gebo, who died on September 8, 1965 and then married Victor Shackley on July 19, 1979, who died in 1999. Kay loved to travel, venturing to England, Scotland, Ireland, Puerto Rico and numerous states, including Alaska and Hawaii. She was an enthusiastic sportswoman enjoying golf, bowling, snowmobiling and swimming. Their camp on the St. Lawrence was a favorite of family and friends. Kay was also an avid card player, beating her niece at rummy, right up to her passing. She was a model of "how to enjoy life." Katharine is survived by one son, Richard and Eileen Gebo of Massena, daughter in law, Rita Gebo of Winthrop; grandchildren, Stephanie Mossow and McKinzey Gebo of Massena, and Carrie Macado of Michigan; a great granddaughter Kiara of Massena; step children, Rose Wilson and Leo Shackley; one sister, Norma Burns Topping of New Hampshire; nieces and nephews, Sue Stubbs of Brasher Falls, Pat Burns of Vermont, Katharine Lois Kjerland of New York City, John Monahan of New Hampshire, and Robert Monahan of Florida. One son, David "Huffer" Gebo, one brother, Robert Richardson, one sister, Carol Monahan, and a nephew Bob Burns, predeceased her. Those wishing to do so, please consider donations in Kay's memory to Brasher Winthrop Volunteer Fire Department or Tri Town Rescue Squad. Memories and condolences can be shared with Kay's family at www.hammillfh.com.