Katharine Beatrice Houff, a life-long resident of Frederick County, died on Sunday, September 20, 2015 after an acute illness. She was 88 years of age at the time of her death. Katharine- known from an early age as "Kotty" for her virtually white "cotton" hair as she was growing up- was the 10th of 11 children born to Lizzie Coblentz and Erie Calvin Biser. She grew up in rural Frederick County on the farms owned by her father and mother, and after marrying James E. Houff, a fireman and engineer for the B&O Railroad, in 1945, lived in Frederick for the first two years of their marriage. They moved to Adamstown in 1947 and for the next 14 years, when they and their two children (Edward Francis and Jennifer Louise) moved to Elm Street in Frederick. In 1969, they moved again, to West Fourteenth Street in Frederick, where Jim and Kotty lived until his death in 2003. Kotty moved to Assisted Living at Homewood at Crumland Farms in 2013 and was a resident there at the time of her death. During their time in Adamstown, Jim and Kotty were an inseparable team, with Jim spearheading a group of residents that began the Adamstown Volunteer Fire Department and Kotty working tirelessly in the Ladies Auxilary. They were mainstays and constant workers in building the Fire House, at the annual Carnival and in every fundraiser and event. Both were active in their church, with Jim in the consistory and Kotty in the choir, and at every church supper and activity that occurred. To help their children go to college, Jim and Kotty began a coin-operated laundromat business in Frederick in 1962, and Kotty worked tirelessly as the manager, supervisor and chief cook and bottle washer for the next 15 years. Kotty also began volunteering at Homewood when it was downtown in the Old Francis Scott Key Hotel, and again was her tireless self, doing sewing and darning and alterations and anything else that needed doing for the residents. They enjoyed their grandchildren and loved going to Cape Canaveral to watch the space shuttles take off. When Jim manifested with Alzheimer's disease in about 2000, Kotty became his constant companion, caregiver, protector and advocate until his death in 2003. She then turned her attention to the Grace Reformed United Church of Christ on East 2nd Street in Frederick, where she again became a mainstay volunteer worker, doing any and every job that needed doing, cheerfully and without question. In addition to her time and talents, she also donated a communion set in a more updated style. Becoming a resident at Homewood at Crumland Farms in 2013 did not change Kotty's can-do and will-do character. She took up where she had left off at Homewood downtown, doing sewing and alterations for the other residents and generally helping in any way and every way she could. Kotty Houff was one of a kind- a totally selfless person who from her earliest years worked hard for others and without any expectation of thanks or praise. Her life was exemplified by a strong work ethic, a straightforward and abiding faith, and a conviction that virtue was its own reward. She is survived by her children, Ed (spouse Deborah Robinson) and Jenny (spouse Charles Bradley), by four grandchildren, Alexandra Houff (spouse Carlson Bull) of Baltimore, MD, Abigail Houff of Key West, FL, Sarah Bradley (spouse Geoffrey Renaldo) of Washington, D.C. and Ian Bradley of New York City; five great-grandchildren, Robert Edward Bull, Catherine Annalise Bull, Vivienne Camille Bull, Alexandra Jolie Bull and Abigail Mikaela Bull and by her older brother, Paul Melvin Biser of Adamstown and her younger sister, Lorraine Duncan of Jacksonville, FL, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Called by one family member "the patron Saint of the family," Kotty Houff will live on in the persons and characters of her descendants, and her spirit of hard work and truthfulness will survive. Friends may call for visitation from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD. A service in celebration of Kotty's life will begin at 11 am at the Grace Reformed United Church of Christ, 25 E. 2nd Street, Frederick. A reception will begin immediately after the service. Interment will be private at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Friends wishing to do so are invited to make a donation to Homwood at Crumland Farms, 7407 Willow Road, Frederick, MD 21702 or to a charity of ones choice.
