Catherine Carrathers Hoch

Catherine (Katie) Carrathers Hoch, 86 of San Diego, Ca, was called home on Sunday April 19th, at Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, Ca.

Born September 6, 1939 in Berwick, Pa, she was the daughter of the late Delmar Lee and Anna Mary Carrathers.

Katie was a graduate of Berwick High School in the class of 1957 and added additional education at Luzerne County Community College from 1970 until 1972.

She worked in the office at Consolidated Cigar Corp. in Berwick after graduation until 1965, when her son Jefferey was born. In 1966 she moved to Ridgefield Ct. with her husband Harold Hoch, whom she married at St. James Lutheran Church, Hobbie, July 7th , 1962. In 1967 her daughter Pamella K was born, in Ct. In 1969 they moved to Mountain Top, Pa. In 1977 the family moved to San Diego. Ca. where she worked in the Documentation Department of Children’s Hospital and then worked for the San Diego School System for several years in administrative positions, after which she spent her time caring for her children, as well as holding Bible studies at her home with neighbors.

Katie was known to have the Gift of Hospitality and over the 63 years of marriage in every community that she lived in she cooked and baked to host parties to celebrate birthday’s, graduations, anniversaries, and all holidays. In the past 18 years Katie along with two neighbors have organized a monthly social for their community at The Lakes above Rancho Santa Fe with over 50 members.

She has been a member of several Lutheran Churches, St. James Hobbie, Pa. St. Andrew’s, Ridgefield, Ct, St. Paul’s, Mountain Top, Pa, Living Water Lutheran, Del Mar, Ca. and most recently Christ the Cornerstone, Mira Mesa, Ca.

In every congregation she either taught Sunday School, taught Vacation Bible School or organized the annual Bible school, attended Bible studies or held them in her home, She was always very active in her church life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Jacqueline Matash, Harrisburg, Pa., as well as her sister-in-law, Dorthy Lutz and husband Edward, Hobbie, Pa. 

Katie is survived by her husband Harold M Hoch, son Jeffrey H Hoch, his wife Ruthann and daughters Jacey and Rilee, San Diego, Ca. daughter Pamella K Biggs and her husband Stephen of Clayton, Ca. sister MaryJane Fisher and niece Kathy Fisher, Berwick, Pa., niece Lori Kashishian and her daughter Lillian, Harrisburg, Pa. Also, by brother-in-law Robert Hoch, wife Linda and daughter Janet, Hobbie, Pa.

A memorial Service and reception will be held at 11am on May 30th at The Crosby Club at Rancho Santa Fe, 17102 Bing Crosby Blvd, San Diego, Ca 92127.

On Saturday July 11th, at 11am. a service with internment will be at St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery, Hobbie Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hoch Family Endowment to support student scholarships at Concordia University, Attn: University Advancement, Irvine, Ca.1350 Concordia West, Irvine Ca, 92612-3203.

Or Alzheimer’s Association, San Diego, Ca. 3635 Ruffin Rd. San Diego, Ca 92123.

California arrangements by: Poway- Bernardo Mortuary, Poway Ca.

Pennsylvania arrangements by: Heller Funeral Home LLC, Nescopeck Pa.