Obituary – Mary Kathryn Monteith Hupman (“Kitty”)
Mary Kathryn Monteith Hupman, known affectionately as Kitty, died on March 15 at her home in Mebane, North Carolina, surrounded by family and her long-term caregiver, Diana Smith. She was 95 years old.
Kitty, the daughter of Hugh Edwin and Pauline McClure Monteith, was born on April 15, 1924 in Canton, North Carolina. She graduated from Sylva High School in 1940, then studied at Mars Hill College and Meredith College, where she graduated in 1945. She earned Masters Degrees from UNC Chapel Hill in 1966 and 1974. Kitty taught English at both Mebane High School and Eastern Alamance High School, where she served for many years as the yearbook advisor and as a mentor and friend to students and teachers alike.
After retiring from a long career of teaching, she decided to pursue an Associate Degree in horticulture at Alamance Community College. Gardening was one of her passions, and Kitty was known for her green thumb. Her greenhouse, Kitty’s Korner, provided many friends with tomato seedlings each spring. She was also an avid reader and a board member of the Mebane Library as well as a moderator of the Reviewers Book Club.
Kitty was a keen fan of all UNC sports teams, particularly Carolina basketball. She was also a devoted follower of the Atlanta Braves and enjoyed watching the games with family members.
She was a faithful member of Mebane United Methodist Church for seven decades, where she taught Sunday School for many years and was also a member of the Altar Guild. Probably her proudest achievement was her role as a founder and long-term supporter of MUMS, which provides pre-school and after-school care to the community. The school was recently renamed the Kitty Hupman Weekday School in her honor.
Kitty was preceded in death by her husband, William Robert Hupman, Sr., and one of her sons, W. R. “Bob” Hupman, Jr. She is survived by her five other children, Susan Rao (Firoze), Lynn Neal (John), Mac Hupman (Sonya), Laura Glasgow (Mitch), and Julie Ocko (Rob); 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express its appreciation to Kitty’s many friends, particularly her close friend, Doug Smith; her beloved companion, Diana Smith; and the team at Amedisys Hospice Care.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Amedisys Hospice Care or the Kitty Hupman Weekday School.
Online condolences may be sent at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net
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