Catharine Graeme Connell

Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother and aunt Catharine Graeme Connell passed away on March 13, 2023 due to complications from cancer. Born on April 11, 1952 in Washington D.C., she was the daughter of the late Catharine Hendrix Graeme and Edward Andrew Graeme. Catharine, also known as Khaki (a childhood nickname given by her sister Marianne), was a caring and generous mother and grandmother who cherished her family and fondly looked forward to time spent with them. She is survived by her sister Marianne Fortuna and brother Bob Graeme (Jeannie). She leaves behind three children: Brian Connell (Talli), Jennifer Kiiss (Mark) and Catharine Connell and six beloved grandchildren: Pearse, Thomas, and Cece Connell and Maia, Aksel and Bodhi Kiiss. Catharine is also survived by Tim Hassett, her longtime partner and loving companion. She was loved by her nieces and nephews, Laura and David Fortuna (and David’s wife Meredith); Katelynn Graeme Doolittle (and husband, Ben) and Robert Graeme. Her grandniece, Lily Doolittle, and grandnephew, Wylie Fortuna, were frequent objects of her affection.

Catharine graduated from Winter Park High School in Winter Park, FL in 1969 and then went on to attend South Georgia College where she met Phil Connell. They were married in 1972. For several years, they lived in Jacksonville, FL and later moved to Atlanta, GA to raise their 3 children. In 1986, she returned to the Sunshine State to be near family in north Florida. There she started her career in retail and then branched into entrepreneurship to design children’s clothes, which paired her abundant creativity with her love of sewing. After 17 years of living at the beach and after her children left Florida, she moved to Asheville to again be near family.

Khaki enjoyed big family dinners, planning holiday meals, and working in her garden, taking special pride in her heirloom tomatoes and growing enough lettuce to seemingly feed the neighborhood. Full of energy and a keen sense of adventure, she loved hiking with friends in the area, especially Patton and Reynolds Mountains, with her 2 chocolate labs: Charlie and Milton Hershey. The beach, especially in North Florida, was her favorite spot and many of her fondest memories have taken place there. She had a lifetime love of tennis which she brought to Asheville. Through her tennis community and work, she made several wonderful friends who were drawn to her warmth and humor. These friendships were such an amazing gift to her until the very end.

We will miss her unfailing ability to make people feel special, her unique way of showing people she cared about them and her incredible sense of humor.

Our deepest gratitude to all those who surrounded Khaki in her final weeks and days, and for the comfort they have provided the family since her passing. Special thanks to the nurses and doctors who provided treatment and guidance as well as Four Seasons Hospice Care, especially Abby Day. A celebration of Catharine’s life will be held on April 22, 2023 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville, NC at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Homeward Bound or Brother Wolf Animal Rescue–two organizations Catharine admired.