Katherine C. Haeberle

Katherine C. Haeberle passed away peacefully on June 29, 2023 under the care of Spanish Oaks Retreat in Savannah, Ga. She was 91.

She was born in Jacksonville, Fl, spending her pre-teen years in Hawaii, where she was living during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Kathy was a Savannah resident for over 70 years. In 1950, just out of high school, she began her long career with the Savannah Morning News and Evening Press as a “copy girl.” With the exception of her working in Georgia Congressman G. Elliott Hagan’s Washington office for two years starting in 1966, she worked at the local Savannah papers for 41 years where she held various reporting roles. She served as religious editor, staff reporter and city hall reporter, retiring in 1991 as their first female city editor. She was appreciated for her dedication to “the people’s right to know,” and was highly respected in all her roles at both papers.

She enjoyed a “retirement” of over 30 years where she turned her energy toward guiding tours of Savannah, the city she loved; providing countless hours supporting other women in their choice of sobriety (by many accounts, this support was experienced as life-saving); developing and nurturing many close friendships; devoting time to her children, grandchildren, and eventually, her great-grandchildren; and enjoying the serenity of watching the birds that came to visit her feeder (she liked to keep track of newcomers in her bird book).

Those around Kathy appreciated her quick wit and wry humor — she could uplift the mood in any challenging situation. She was also appreciated by many for her consistent generosity — of time, money and spirit. Kathy loved beauty (there were always fresh flowers in her home); was devoted to her animal companions; and she enjoyed traveling the world, having visited Guatamala, Australia and most countries on the European continent, always with friends or family in tow.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Christine Pingel.

She is survived by her sister, Jean Andrews Beatson of Ft. Lawn, SC; two daughters, Katherine (Clifton) Wilson of Savannah, Ga and Kimberly Palmer of Pioneertown, Ca; three grand children, Parry (Brian) Brand of Charlotte, NC, Angie Dupuis of Yucca Valley, Ca, and Michael Sanborn of Savannah, Ga; two step children, Cynthia Henderson of Florence, Al and Mark Haeberle of Memphis, Tn; four great-grandchildren, all of Charlotte, NC; and a host of friends.

A visitation in celebration of Kathy’s life will be held at Gamble Funeral Service in Savannah on Monday, July 17th, from 4:30-6:30. A private internment will be held at Bonaventure Cemetery.

Remembrances: The Humane Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.