Kathy Lynn Hackett

Kathy Lynn Hackett was born to Sam and Catherine Carroll on January 16, 1949. She grew up in Baytown, TX with her older sisters, Janelle, Frances, and Niecie. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, attending St John’s UMC throughout her childhood and adolescent years. Kathy graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, TX and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas State University. She met Paul Hackett in San Marcos, TX while they were both attending college and were married on August 5, 1972. They have two sons, Kevin and Stephen.

A devoted wife, loving mother, and consummate professional, Kathy spent 39 years as a teacher and Choral Director in Texas, Georgia, and Missouri. Kathy taught each child equally, regardless of ability or background. Early in her career, while teaching in Liberty, TX, her students dubbed her “Momma” and continue to affectionally refer to her by that name today. As a mother she successfully balanced her professional and family demands. Her two sons lead productive and successful. As for a wife, Paul could have asked for nothing more.

Kathy loved classic movies and the actors and actresses of the 50’s, 60, and 70’s who starred in them. She loved the classic crooners of the past, including Frank Sinatra, but in particular Nancy Wilson. Kathy loved her dogs and they loved her back! She was known as a “dog whisperer,” always adopting from shelters, and amazingly raising them all to a ripe old age. Lady, Bojangles, Baby, Buffy, Misty, Christy, and Angel are embracing her now.

Of the many achievements and awards received throughout her career, Kathy was especially proud of being named Teacher of the Year, The Texas Choral Directors Association’s “Excellence in Choral Music” honor, PTA Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as invitational performances before TMEA in 2004 and 2019, and before SWACDA in 2012. Additionally, she served as Choral Vice President of Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association, developed and presented numerous workshops on various topics at music conferences. She served as All State Organizer and Section Leader on several occasions for TMEA. Kathy was in demand as a guest clinician, conductor and adjudicator throughout her career for hundreds of choirs in Texas, as well as many other states.

Kathy thrived on her devotion to her children and the love she gave to her husband. She lived her life and built her career for her students and peers on the foundation of committing yourselves to others and making the world a better place. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she changed for the better, and the love and respect each of us shares with each other.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Catherine Carroll.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Paul F. Hackett of Plano, TX; sons, Kevin Hackett of Frisco, TX and Stephen G. Hackett of Dallas, TX.

She will be dearly missed and always loved by her family and everyone fortunate enough to have known her.