Katherine Lavon Hession

Katherine Lavon Hession, 88, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away October 5, 2024, at her home residence. She was born on August 26, 1936, in Hartford City, West Virginia to Pearl & Louise (Kearns) Hall. 

At age 18 she left West Virginia to enlist in the Navy. While on active duty, she met a Marine, Eugene Hession, who then became her husband. Katherine & Eugene were married for almost 62 years. They raised two sons, Phillip & Kevin. After Eugene’s retirement from the Marine Corps, they stayed in South Florida. Katherine worked at the local tag agency, retiring as Chief Tag Officer of Dade County, the first female to hold that office. Katherine was always very involved in church activities in Miami and Ocala.  A travel highlight was a trip to the Holy Lands in the late 1990's.  Katherine was also a champion bowler, participating in bowling leagues, often two per week, for over 50 years.

Katherine & Eugene moved to Ocala, Florida in 1990. After Eugene’s death in 2019, Katherine moved to Jacksonville, Florida to be closer to Kevin & his wife Judy. She lived with Kevin & Judy for the last six months of her life before succumbing to lung cancer under the care of Community Hospice. 

Katherine is survived by sons, Phillip Hession, Wilmington, DE & Kevin Hession & Judy Hession, daughter in-law, of Jacksonville, FL, granddaughter Rebecca Hession, Washington DC, grandson in-law Michael Bessette, Washington, DC, and many extended Hession family members & Hall cousins. 

She was preceded in death by parents Pearl & Louise Hall, sister, Karen Alexander & Husband, Eugene Hession. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9800 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, Florida at 1 pm.  Family will receive friends at the church one hour before the Mass.  Attendees are invited to join the family at the luncheon following the Mass in the Parish Life Center. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 10am. Family respectfully requests no flowers.  Memorials may be made to the Mary Campbell Center, Wilmington, DE or any animal humane society of your choosing.