Kathy Morrison McArthur

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Kathy Morrison McArthur, beloved wife, stepmother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Kathy died peacefully at home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Sunday, October 8th after an 8-year long battle with frontal temporal dementia.

Kathy was born January 3rd, 1951, to Meryl and Dorothy Morrison of Union City, Oklahoma. She grew up in a rural community where summers were spent with siblings and cousins. Kathy graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. degree in education and taught for several years before attending Clemson University where she earned a graduate degree in nutrition. She worked for more than 20 years in wellness and cardiovascular programs at Baton Rouge General. Her last professional chapter was in private practice as a medical nutrition therapist, wellness, and home health consultant. During that time, she wrote nutrition segments for radio and TV broadcast, and co-authored a Nutrition Resource Manual.

With her husband Frank, Kathy was an active volunteer and philanthropist in Baton Rouge having served on the board of the Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area and volunteered with the American Heart Association. She also shared her time and talent at Woman’s Hospital where she chaired the Women’s Victory Open. An avid golfer, Kathy could be found practicing her game with dear friends and helping to organize the Ladies Golf Association events at the Country Club of Louisiana. Kathy’s passion for playing bridge in her retirement years led to many friendships and competitions where she earned her Life Master’s designation. Kathy enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends including frequent trips to Orange Beach, AL and Breckenridge, Colorado where she loved hiking and watching her grandchildren learn to ski.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband Frank, her stepdaughter and son-in-law Heather and Brendan Coughlin of Lincoln, Massachusetts and her beloved grandchildren Liam “Mack” Coughlin and Reagan Coughlin. She is also survived by her brother Vincent and his wife Joy Morrison, and her sister Jennie Smith, all of Oklahoma, and their families including three cherished nieces and two nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Meryl and Dorothy Morrison, her brother Cletus, and her beloved nephew Ben Morrison.

A graveside funeral service is scheduled in her hometown of Union City, Oklahoma on Saturday, October 28th at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in Baton Rouge in early 2024. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in honor of Kathy McArthur to Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area at www.alzbr.org.