Katharine (Howell) Habig, 91

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND - Katharine (Howell) Habig, 91, passed away peacefully on Nov. 12, 2016, at Brentwood Manor Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Yarmouth. She was born in Portland on August 31, 1925, the daughter of Roger and Katharine (Clifford) Howell.

Katharine (Khaki) was a graduate from of Bryn Mawr High School in Baltimore, Md. in 1942. She then attended Smith College in Massachusetts and graduated with her Bachelor's of Arts degree in Physical Education in 1946. Khaki played varsity field hockey and lacrosse while at Smith, and was an All-American in field hockey. After graduation, Katharine returned to Maryland for a few years to teach in Middle River, Md, where she met her husband Robert (Bob).

Khaki and Bob moved to Wilbraham, Mass. in 1957, where she taught physical education and coached field hockey, gymnastics, and lacrosse at Minnechaug High School. Khaki also started a synchronized swimming program at Minnechaug. Khaki's teams were highly successful; her field hockey and gymnastics teams won several state championships. In 1968, Khaki and her family moved to Chebeague Island, where Khaki had spent her summers since early childhood. Khaki was a very active member of the Island community; she was a part of The Whalers singing group for over 15 years, and she taught numerous children on the island how to sail; Khaki was an active sailor well into her 80s. Khaki also started a Chebeague Island swimming program, through which she taught a generation of Islanders and summer vacationers to swim. Khaki and her husband Bob also started and ran an Island taxi service for over ten years.

Khaki is survived by her son, Clifford and wife Mary; grandson, Collin, stepgrandsons Robert and Daniel Hoffman; sister, Anne Tucker; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Khaki was predeceased by her husband, sister, Louise, and brothers Roger and Bill Henry.

A celebration of Khaki's life will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Chebeague Island Methodist Church, 258 N. Road Chebeague Island. A private burial will immediately follow the services at the Chebeague Island Cemetery. -