Kathryn (Kat) Habicht Terhune, passed away unexpectedly on August 21, 2026, after battling an

imperfect heart condition. Kathryn was born in Wakefield, Massachusetts, on February 26,

1948, to Milton and Velma Habicht. She attended Wakefield Elementary School, then graduated

with Honors from Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall School in Waltham, Massachusetts. After high

school, Kat attended Syracuse University and the University of Miami, Florida, graduating in

1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

In 1973, Kat moved to Los Angeles, where she met Chuck Terhune. Kat and Chuck met by

chance one morning when Chuck, looking out his balcony window, saw Kat getting out of her

car. So taken by her, he yelled out “Who Are YOU!” She retorted “Who are you? Come help me

with my stuff”. A great romance and marriage commenced. Kat married her love, Chuck in 1975.

In 1981, their son Charles (Chas) H. Terhune IV was born. Kat and Chuck raised Chas in La

Crescenta until 1992, when the family moved to Saudi Arabia in support of Chuck’s work. Kat

managed the family, travel, education, and liaised with other ex-pat families for three years until

the family moved back to La Crescenta in 1994. Chuck and Kat moved once again in 2002 to

Aiken, South Carolina, where they spent five years. La Crescenta was always in Kat’s heart,

and they returned to their mountain home once again in 2007. During their life Chuck and Kat

traveled the world.

A caring mother with a generous spirit and a deep appreciation for those serving their country,

she initiated a “Books for Servicemen” program to bring a small piece of home to her son and

other troops deployed overseas. Working with the local post office and members of the

community, she organized the collection and shipment of donated books to servicemen in Iraq.

Her efforts reflected her compassion, community spirit, and belief that even a simple gesture

could provide comfort and encouragement to those serving abroad.

Kat was a dedicated supporter of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the establishment of an

endowed scholarship and mentorship program for exceptional incoming engineering students,

providing scholarships with ongoing guidance, counseling, mentoring, and professional

connections during college and into their careers.

Always ready for adventure, Kat forever had a plan of action and knew exactly what she liked

and did not. She was a devoted mother and wife, avid reader, crossword expert, and

exceptional card player. She had a remarkable way of making others around her feel the

vibrancy and joy with which she lived every day. Her strength, devotion, quiet laughter,

unwavering support, fiery spirit, and zest for life through every season have left indelible impacts

on those she knew.

Kat was beautiful and met life with a great smile and had a great fondness for animals,

particularly Cats. For 53 years, Kat and Chuck shared an extraordinary life. Kat was a dedicated

mother, loving wife, the anchor of her family, and the light of her husband's life. She will be

missed every single day. She is survived by her devoted husband, Chuck, her son Chas, and

her sister Pam Welfley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Velma Habicht.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday 17 October 2026, at 11:00 AM at La Canada

Presbyterian Church in Kat's memory.