The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF KATHRYN BONNIE HASSETT
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kathryn Bonnie Hassett. Kathryn passed away in her Merced home on August 26, 2021 after a seven-year battle with cancer. Kathryn was a mother, daughter, grandmother, and friend.
Kathryn was the daughter of Ken and Midge Riggs. She went to school in Merced, California at Merced High School and later went on to study at California State University, Fresno where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences. After graduating from Fresno State, Kathryn attended the University of San Francisco where she graduated with her Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family.
She was reunited with Frank ``Flip'' Hassett while attending Fresno State, as they had first met when they were much younger at the Skimmers swim meets. During their time in college, they dated until they were married in 1975, after Kathy began her career in Social Services with Merced County while Flip coached swimming and water polo. They had two children together in 1977 and 1979.
In her free time, Kathy always enjoyed trying new things while spending time outdoors and traveling. She and her husband Flip especially loved rafting in Class 5 rivers all over the West and even in the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In addition to rafting, Kathy was skilled at snow and water skiing in Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, China Peak, and various other locations.
Once she retired after 35 years with Merced County, Kathy continued her love for travel and exploration by partaking in several sea and river cruises all over the world, including a Disney Cruise in 2018 to Cabo San Lucas, when she was able to bring all of their children and grandchildren along for the trip.
Kathy was an active member of various community organizations in Merced including the League of Women Votes, Leadership Merced--Class 14, United Way, the Hospital Assistance League, MCMC Foundation, Federal Emergency Management Team, Continuity of Care Committee, Specialized Management Area Response Team, Adult Services Committee, and CalWorks Advisory Committee. In addition to her commitment to Merced County, Kathy also worked in associations at the state level, including Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Human Services Directors.
Her dedication to her community demonstrated her immense faith in humanity. Her warm spirit and loving charm was something she never failed to share with her children, family, and the community of the Central Valley and California as a whole.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband Frank ``Flip'' Hassett; her children Heather Shepherd (Kelcey) and Frank Hassett (Amber); and siblings Karen Davey (Erwin), Curtis Riggs (Gaye), and Kraig Riggs
(Robin).
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Kathryn Bonnie Hassett. Her service and contributions to the Central Valley and the State of California will be long remembered. I join her family and friends in celebrating Kathryn's life.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 206
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up