Katherine Rice Marin

Kathie, as she liked to be called, had many hobbies, including teaching yoga, cooking, sewing, drawing, doing puzzles, walking her dog Sonya, and listening to the oldies station. She also enjoyed eating mint chocolate chip ice cream, knitting, driving her Subaru, gardening, taking care of her family, spending time with her grandchildren, and playing card games. Kathie was a truly selfless person who always put others’ well being ahead of her own.

Kathie was born Katherine Mary Rice on June 12, 1949 in Saddle River, N.J., the daughter of Estelle and John Rice. Older brother, John, welcomed her home, and younger sister, Pamela, was born in 1953.

Kathie graduated from Ramsey High School in Ramsey, N.J. before earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. While attending Bridgewater, Kathie met Russ Terrill and married him in 1969. Russ unexpectedly passed away in 1970.

In March of 1973, one of Kathie’s co-workers set up a blind date with her 36-year-old uncle, a French immigrant named Francois Marin. Francois was himself a recent widower, as his first wife, Andree, had tragically passed away in February of 1972.

After a whirlwind romance, Kathie and Francois were married on July 29, 1973. Francois already had three children at the time: Laurent (12), Christophe (6) and Veronique (17 months), who were all born in France.

Kathie and Francois lived for short periods in Hingham and Burlington, Mass. before moving to Arlington Heights, Ill. in 1979. Kathie gave birth to their son, Marc, on April 22, 1981.

Kathie worked at the Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center in Palatine, Ill. before becoming the director of the First United Methodist Church Preschool in Arlington Heights, Ill. She also earned her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill.

In 2003, Francois and Kathie moved to Harwich, Mass., where Kathie was involved in several community groups, including the Chatham Walkers, the Harwich Petanque Club, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.). Kathie served as the president of the Harwich P.E.O. chapter for three years. Kathie was an ardent supporter of education and enjoyed giving back to young female students during her time in P.E.O.

For 13 years, she also worked at Shaw’s in Harwich, where she was named employee of the year three times.

Kathie brought mindfulness and holistic health to many Cape Cod residents during her time as a yoga instructor at the Harwich Community Center. Teaching yoga brought great enjoyment to Kathie, and she developed a dedicated following of yoga students who regularly attended her classes.

Kathie is preceded in death by her parents, Estelle and John; and her first husband, Russ Terrill.

She is survived by her husband, Francois, of Harwich, Mass.; her brother, John Rice (Annette), of Lexington, Ky.; her sister, Pamela Howell (Don), of Harwich, Mass.; her her sons, Laurent, of Elk Grove, Ill., Christophe (Irena) of Cortland, N.Y., and Marc (Pat) of Globe, Ariz.; her daughter, Veronique Daley (Matt); her grandchildren, Andre Marin, of Chicago, Ill.; Meghan Marin (Parker) of New York, N.Y., Sophie Marin of Cortland, N.Y.; Reese and Hope Daley of Brewster, Mass.; and Anissa Baca, of Globe, Ariz.; her nephew, Will Howell (Amy); and her nieces, Nadine Rocheleau (Glen) of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; and Laura (Steve).

Nickerson Funeral Home in Chatham, Mass. is handling Kathie’s services. To visit the online memorial, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.