Katherine S. Hayward Delray Beach, Florida—Katherine Shirley “Katie” Hayward died suddenly Saturday December 31st 2011 in Delray Beach, Florida. Katie was born on July 26, 1950 in Bangor, Maine, the daughter of Clyde and Lucile (Stitham) Hayward. She attended school in Lincoln, Maine, later graduating from Berlin High School in Berlin, New Hampshire, class of 1969. “Katie Kat” had lived in the Dover area for the past 25 years, previously working at McWho’s Tavern in Dover, the New Hampshire State Liquor Store, the Pirates Cove in Rye, New Hampshire, and for the past 16 years at Liberty Mutual, until her retirement in August of 2011. Upon retiring she relocated to Delray Beach Florida, desiring to be closer to her daughter Laura, and farther away from Old Man Winter. Katie was a veracious consumer of books, at times reading an entire novel in a day or two. She was passionate about the humane treatment of all animals, caring for all of those that she could whenever possible and she never missed the chance to give anyone’s dog a treat. Her cookies and rum cakes were the stuff of legend among those who were fortunate enough to have been graced with them and she continued to mail baked goods to her friends and family even after moving to Florida. She was an avid collector of all things giraffe, and never passed up an opportunity to add to her collection. Katie was a die-hard fan of the Boston Red Sox, UNH Hockey and her beloved New England Patriots. “Katie Mae” gave of herself whenever she could by volunteering at the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, the Greater Seacoast United Way, but was most touched by her work with the children who competed in the Special Olympics of New Hampshire’s Winter Games. She is survived by a daughter, Laura Chapin and her partner Rudy Rosalez of Delray Beach, Florida, a son, Daniel Chapin and his wife Emily Dotton of Dover, New Hampshire, a sister Becky Mulaire and her husband Ron of Berlin, New Hampshire, four brothers, Kenneth Hayward and his wife Linda of Bucksport, Maine, Russell Hayward and his wife Carol of Athens, Greece, Gene Hayward and his wife Eva of Trophy Club, Texas and Stephen Hayward of Littleton New Hampshire, as well as an aunt, Shirley Hutchins of Dade City Florida, an uncle Charlie Hayward of Tilton, New Hampshire and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents, a baby brother and a lifetime of beloved pets. Katie was a second mother to many of her children’s friends and was loved by all who knew her, if only for a short time. Her presence, jokes, no-nonsense attitude and her endless capacity to care for others above herself will be very sorely missed—she was taken from us too soon. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Rd., Dover, NH 03820. Friends and family may call from 1-3:00pm, Sun., Jan 8, 2012 at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover, NH. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com