[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 206 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              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.

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