Katharine Ann Morris

Long-time Alliance City Schools teacher and mother of seven, Katharine Ann Morris, 81, of Alliance, Ohio died peacefully at home on June 2, 2026 after a long struggle with dementia (Alzheimer’s). She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Morris.

Kate was born in Venice, Florida in 1945 to Robert and Joan Carr. Robert was stationed in Venice after serving as an Army Air Force pilot in the invasions of Africa, Sicily, and Italy in World War II. She spent her childhood in Lakewood, Ohio. She attended college at Mount Union where, among other things, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi and the 1966 homecoming court. There she met the love of her life, her devoted husband William Morris, who survives her.

Growing up, Kate spent many summers at her family’s cottage in Lakeside, Ohio, and it remained an incredibly special place to her throughout her life. Bill and Kate married on June 15, 1968 in Lakeside. Bill and Kate moved to Columbus, as Bill finished law school at Ohio State University and Kate taught elementary school. Shortly thereafter, they returned to Alliance where she remained for the rest of her life.

In addition to Bill, Kate is survived by her seven children, who meant the world to her: Amy of New Jersey, Daniel (Kristen) of Yorktown Height, NY, Robert (Samantha) of Knoxville, TN, Ellen of Berea, OH, Sarah of Cleveland Heights, OH, Rebecca (Andy) Peterson of Minneapolis, MN, and Elizabeth, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Before succumbing to her illness, Kate was doted on and was devoted to her grandchildren who affectionately identified her as Nana Banana or Grandma Ohio: Ricky, Charlotte, Olivia, Grace, Abigail, Maddie, and Callie. Trips to parks, beaches, zoos, museums, theaters, and gardens were regular occurrences and her ability to enrich these trips was always treasured.

Though slight of frame, Kate possessed physical strength that belied her size and mental strength that exceeded comprehension. Raising seven kids she found herself in a myriad of unforeseen occupations: nurse, seamstress, cook, gardener, painter, stylist, quartermaster, referee, benevolent dictator, accountant, tutor, teacher, wildlife wrangler, chauffeur, and many, many others. She will always be remembered for making each of her children feel like they had all of her attention.

For Kate, teaching was more than a vocation, it was a calling. She briefly taught elementary school upon her graduation from Mount Union. She took what became a nearly 20-year sabbatical to raise her family. In the mid-1980s she returned to teaching as a preschool instructor at First Presbyterian Church. During this period, she also returned to school and earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Ashland University.

In 1990, she returned to the public school system, as a kindergarten teacher at Liberty Elementary School. Over the next 20 plus years, she spent time at South Lincoln, North Lincoln, and the Early Learning School. Kate’s special skill was to treat preschool and kindergarten students – most of whom had not yet learned to read or count - like fully-formed adults, at the same time she provided them with the educational building blocks they required. Kate had a near-magical ability to talk to her students without ever talking down to them. And she innately understood that many of those students needed more love than she could ever give them. Despite recognizing this futility, she still delivered above and beyond. For many years, she made it a point to provide each of her students with special one-on-one time engaged in an activity where they had her complete and undivided attention. One example was a trip to Mount Union theater to see a feature length animated film. These trips, on her own time and at her own expense, to Kate’s mind were simply part of her job and she never felt like she was working. Many students never had such an experience or such attention. There is likely an argument over whether Kate’s or the students’ lives were more enriched by this experience. In 2008 she was recognized as a Jenning Lecture Series Scholar by the Kent State University Graduate School.

Over the years, she volunteered countless hours for a wide range of institutions: First Presbyterian Church (Sunday School Teacher and Children’s Choir Director), Alliance High School, Girl Scouts, YWCA, and P.E.O. International among many others.

Kate treasured her many friends, whether from her days as an undergraduate at Mount Union (including The Golden Girls), swim parents, or her teaching colleagues. Travel and trips to the theater together were treasured times. Over the years Kate developed many hobbies including basketmaking, painting, and stenciling. She also enjoyed her trips across the country and around the world. Trips to London, Paris, and New Zealand stand out among many, many adventures.

Her children could not have asked for a better mom. Nor could Bill have asked for a better wife. They will miss her every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all of us who loved her.

In addition to her husband, children and grand kids, Kate was preceded in death by her parents, and Sister (Liz Carr), and is survived by her brother Peter (Faith) Carr of Bucksport, MN.

A funeral service will be held at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home on Saturday, June 6th at 12:00 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior.

Donations to the American Leukemia Society would be greatly appreciated.