Kathaleen Mary Ann Highland

Kathaleen Mary Ann Highland (Watkins) left us to join her husband and plant their garden in eternity on June 18, 2018. Kathaleen, or Katha as she was lovingly called by those who knew her, was born July 11, 1950 to Robert and Florence Watkins. Katha was the only daughter and the oldest of 5. At the age of 15 she met her soulmate and the love of her life, Richard (Rick) Highland, and they began dating. On October 9, 1971 they married and began their life together as the perfect couple. The undying love that they shared was apparent to every person that met them.  Rick and Katha had three beautiful children of their own, but Katha didn’t stop there. She was also like a second mother to all of her children’s friends and all of the neighborhood children. Her house was their home away from home. It was very often that you would hear any number of kids calling her “mom”. Aside from her love of nurturing, Katha also loved gardening and building doll houses. Come the spring and summer you could always find Rick and Katha out in the yard, keeping up their pristine gardens and their beautiful pond. When it wasn’t nice enough to be outside, you could find Katha in her doll house room making any number of improvements to her numerous gorgeous doll houses. Her pride and joy though, was her two beautiful grandchildren. She spent most of her time telling everyone how amazing they are. There was nothing that made her happier than being able to experience life with them and watch them turn into the amazing young adults that they’ve become. Spending time with them gave her more happiness than anything in the world. The most important thing to Katha was making sure that her family was always happy, healthy, and pursuing their dreams. Her love for her family and loved ones was unmatched. She will be truly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. Kathaleen was preceded in death by her husband Richard Highland, her son Randy Highland, and her brother John Watkins. She is survived by her daughter Tabetha, her granddaughter Aalyssa, her grandson Isaac, her daughter-in-law Michelle, her son Robby, her brothers Lance (Jim) Watkins, Bob Watkins, and Tony (Tina) Watkins.

Funeral services will be held at the Guisinger Chapel of Palmer Funeral Home at 3718 S Michigan St. on Saturday June 23 from 2-4 pm.  Contributions in memory of Kathaleen Highland may be made to South Bend Animal Care and Control, 521 Eclipse Place, South Bend, IN 46628.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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