OBITUARY
Kathryn A. (Gregory) Clarkin, 81, of Fall River, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026, at her home. She was born in Los Angeles, California the daughter of the late Mario and Virginia (Howard) Gregory. Kathryn was a graduate of both Immaculate Heart Elementary and High School in Los Angeles where she received both a diploma and a faith that she followed for the rest of her life. She received a BA from California State University at Los Angeles and an MA from Lesley College.
Following marriage, she relocated to Fall River with her former husband Atty James W. Clarkin and raised her family. Kathryn was a teacher in California, then the Raynham Public Schools for over thirty years and, post-retirement, as a reading specialist in the Fall River Public Schools.
During her lifetime she served as Chair of the Fall River Park Board and, for many years, as a Trustee of the Fall River Public Library. Most, recently she volunteered as a “cuddler” of new-born infants at Southcoast Hospital.
She was a member of the Junior League of Fall River, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and a former member of the Quequechan Club and the Fall River Country Club.
She came from a family of great athletes in California and was herself highly competitive in golf, tennis and, of late, pickleball. Kathryn was also an avid Mahjong player.
Her life was always centered on her children and grandchildren, loving them, teaching them to read and by example, how to live their lives as she did hers, with kindness, tolerance and love.
Throughout her life she remained devoted to teaching children to read and engage with books at an early age. Her classroom was always a place of engagement, curiosity, encouragement and compassion where she found talent and worth in every child through a daily diet of what she termed “positive reinforcement”.
In her passing, her family, her students and her many friends lost someone who was a true lady, one without pretensions, whose life was marked by simplicity, love and kindness.
Survivors are a daughter: Kerry A. DiSanto and her husband John of North Dighton, Massachusetts; a son: James Gregory Clarkin and his wife Samantha of Swansea, Massachusetts; five grandchildren: Chas DiSanto, Kate DiSanto, Wyatt Clarkin, Iris Clarkin and Hunter Clarkin; a twin sister Kathleen Gregory of Santa Barbara, California along with several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Robert Gregory and William Gregory.
Calling Hours for Kathryn will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm in the Hathaway Home for Funerals, 1813 Robeson Street, Fall River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00am in Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited to attend, directly to the church. Burial to follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Fall River.
Flowers are omitted, memorial donations in her memory may be made to the United Way of Greater Fall River, P.O. Box 2550, Fall River, MA 02722. To Light a memorial book, facility or church directions go to www.hathawayfunerals.com or call 508 673-0781.
