Katharine Humphreys

Katharine Ryals Humphreys
Katharine Ryals was born on 6 August 1939 with twin sister Louise to Edwin Cabell Ryals and Martha (Hunke) Ryals in Teaneck, New Jersey. As a young girl the family moved to a newly constructed house in Oceanside, New York on Long Island. Louise continues to live in that home today.
Katharine graduated from Hofstra University with a major in history. After working for an adoption agency in New York City for a short time she received a grant to continue college and earned a Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. With the new degree she obtained a counselor’s position with the Ventura School for Girls, a California Youth Authority facility in Camarillo, California and moved to California where she met and married Gaylin Humphreys on 30 December 1967.
After a few years break from professional work to raise her sons, Scott Cabell Humphreys and Todd Loren Humphreys, she returned to work with developmentally disabled persons within the California Regional System at Santa Barbara. She assisted clients of all ages with both physical and mental disabilities by obtaining for them the training and equipment to lead a more normal life. To help other professionals in the same field she co-organized with Kenna Hickman, some two day workshops on social security’s effect on disabled persons. Later Kenna was Katharine’s director at the Santa Barbara office of the California Department of Rehabilitation.
While at the Department of Rehabilitation, Katharine earned a Masters of Vocational Rehabilitation from San Diego State University and became a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. In 2006 she decided to retire and chose to pursue a doctorate in vocational rehabilitation at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. After completing the course work and comprehensive examinations she decided she would not conduct research and write a thesis.
Following complete retirement in 2009, Katharine and Gaylin moved to Littleton, Colorado where she became the treasurer for their home owner’s association recreation committee until her disabilities led to her resignation. She did continue to enjoy reading and collecting dolls. She had several Native American dolls and several representing cultures of other countries.
Katharine is survived by her husband, Gaylin of Littleton, Colorado; sons Scott of Littleton, Colorado and Todd, Todd’s wife Terri and granddaughter, Malia of Oceanside, California; sister, Louise of Oceanside, New York; sister-in-law Jan Humphreys of Golden, Colorado; sister-in-law Cheryl Cancienne and husband Milton, their son Troy and daughter Amy Cave and Amy’s husband Mike and their children, Liam, Amelia, and Ethan all of Louisiana; brother-in-law Rob Humphreys of Kearney, Nebraska; Gaylin’s aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends and former co-workers.
Funeral services for Katharine Humphreys will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. (MT) at the Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with Rev. Brian Fong officiating. Interment will follow at Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, Nebraska.
Viewing will be prior to services on the morning of Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to your local hospice or favorite charity.
Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
LIEWER FUNERAL HOME IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS