Katherine Laughlin Isaacson

Katherine Laughlin Isaacson passed away on Sunday, November 3rd surrounded by family and close friends. She was born December 25th, 1946 in Keene, New Hampshire to Rosemary and Herbert Laughlin and attended Castilleja girls school in Palo Alto and Marymount of Santa Barbara. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley and earned a teaching credential at San Francisco State University. Katherine grew up spending her summers at her family’s cabin on the remote west side of Fallen Leaf Lake on the border of the Desolation Wilderness. In 1972, after a few weeks of courtship, she accepted a marriage proposal from R. Deming Isaacson and they were married at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

Katherine devoted her time to raising her three children, John, Thomas, and Holly. She returned to teaching at All Saints-by-the-Sea Parish School and taught first grade at the Isla Vista School for 19 years. Katherine was a life-long learner who held a passion for music, literature, and the arts. She sang in the All Saints church choir and the Santa Barbara Opera Chorus. Throughout her life, Katherine gave selflessly to her family, friends, and students. She is survived by her husband R. Deming Isaacson, three children John, Thomas, Holly, four grandchildren Anton, Ibbie, Katherine, Candice, her mother Rosemary R. Laughlin, and siblings Herbert Laughlin Jr., Margaret (Peggy) C. Laughlin, and Nancy Laughlin. A memorial service for Katherine will be held at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 16th at 2pm.