Catherine “Katie” (Carrathers) Hoch, 86 of San Diego, CA, was called Home on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA.
Born September 6, 1939, in Berwick, PA, she was the daughter of the late Delmar Lee and Anna Mary Carrathers. Katie was a graduate of Berwick High School, class of 1957, and later, continued her education at Luzerne County Community College from 1970 until 1972.
She met her husband Harold Hoch, whom she married at St. James Lutheran Church, Hobbie, July 7th, 1962. They celebrated 63 years before her passing.
After graduation, she worked in the office at Consolidated Cigar Corp. in Berwick until 1965, when her son Jefferey was born. In 1966, she moved to Ridgefield, CT and in 1967, her daughter Pamella K was born. In 1969, they moved to Mountain Top, PA, where the family resided for 10 years before moving to San Diego. She worked in the Documentation Department of Children’s Hospital. Later, she worked for the San Diego School system for several years in administrative positions, after which, she spent her time caring for her children, as well as holding Bible studies at her home with neighbors.
Katie was known to have the Gift of Hospitality and in every community that she lived, she cooked and baked to host parties to celebrate birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and all holidays. In the past 18 years, Katie along with 2 neighbors have organized a monthly social for their community at The Lakes above Rancho Santa Fe with over 50 members.
She has been a member of several Lutheran Churches including, St. James Hobbie, PA, St. Andrew’s, Ridgefield, CT, St. Paul’s, Mountain Top, PA, Living Water Lutheran, Del Mar, CA, and most recently Christ the Cornerstone in Mira Mesa, CA. In every congregation she either taught Sunday School, taught Vacation Bible School or organized the annual Bible school, attended Bible studies or held them at her home. She was always very active in her Church Life.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Sister Jacqueline Matash, Harrisburg, PA, as well as her sister-in-law, Dorthy Lutz and husband Edward, Hobbie, PA.
Katie is survived by her husband Harold M Hoch; son, Jeffrey H Hoch, his wife Ruthann and their daughters, Jacey and Rilee, San Diego, CA; daughter, Pamella K. Biggs and her husband Stephen of Clayton, CA; sister, MaryJane Fisher and niece, Kathy Fisher, Berwick, PA; niece, Lori Kashishian and her daughter Lillian, Harrisburg, Pa; and brother-in-law, Robert Hoch, his wife Linda and their daughter Janet, Hobbie, PA.
A memorial service and reception will be held at 11 am on May 30th at The Crosby Club at Rancho Santa Fe, 17102 Bing Crosby Blvd, San Diego, Ca 92127.
On Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11 AM, a graveside service will be held in St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery, Hobbie PA.