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Kitty and Harry Lorden walk down the aisle after the wedding of their son, Pat, in 2000. (Submitted photo) |
A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Catherine “Kitty” Lorden didn’t make a name for herself storming beaches during the war or building an empire, as her son Gregory “Greg” Lorden likes to say.
Instead, she was a “hero of the heart.”
Kitty’s legacy is raising six children with her husband of almost 64 years, Harry Lorden, while modeling a life and marriage based on faith, love and respect.
“She was an engaged mom,” said Greg, who lives in Littleton, Colo. “She was ever present, whether it was a scrape or we needed a cold drink.”
Kitty and Harry grew up in Baltimore. They met while both were working for the Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.
Their first date was the day after Christmas in 1945, and they got married on Jan. 17, 1948.
“I was making $25 a week, and Kitty loved that big money,” Harry said with a laugh.
“She was very loving, caring and beautiful. She was just a nice, nice lady. I thought she’d make a perfect wife, and she did,” he said.
Harry said their marriage was a success because of commitment and instead of splitting responsibilities 50/50, it was more like 75/75 in the Lorden household.
Greg said it would be more accurate to say both of his parents gave 100 percent.
The Lordens had four children when Harry started going to night school three nights a week to further his career. When they moved to Hagerstown for his job as an appliance salesman, they had six children and his job required overnight travel two nights a week.
“She didn’t fuss at all. I owe all my success to her,” Harry said.
“When Dad traveled, we always knew Mom would be home,” said daughter Theresa Caputy of Vienna, Va.
The family lived on Cherry Tree Circle near Paramount. Even with four of her six children still at home, Kitty took in her bedridden parents from Baltimore in 1974.
More than nine years ago, Kitty and Harry moved to Summerland Manor, where they enjoyed an active social life, in addition to their church community at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church.
“She lived her faith, walked the walk,” Theresa said.
“She modeled what she believed,” Greg said.
Kitty and Harry had hosted a weekly Bible study together for 15 years. After moving to Summerland Manor, they started a weekly TGIF social in the late afternoon.
The Lordens’ home was a gathering place, in large part due to Kitty. She was known for her knack of being able to relate to all age groups, as well as making people feel special.
Instead, she was a “hero of the heart.”
Kitty’s legacy is raising six children with her husband of almost 64 years, Harry Lorden, while modeling a life and marriage based on faith, love and respect.
“She was an engaged mom,” said Greg, who lives in Littleton, Colo. “She was ever present, whether it was a scrape or we needed a cold drink.”
Kitty and Harry grew up in Baltimore. They met while both were working for the Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.
Their first date was the day after Christmas in 1945, and they got married on Jan. 17, 1948.
“I was making $25 a week, and Kitty loved that big money,” Harry said with a laugh.
“She was very loving, caring and beautiful. She was just a nice, nice lady. I thought she’d make a perfect wife, and she did,” he said.
Harry said their marriage was a success because of commitment and instead of splitting responsibilities 50/50, it was more like 75/75 in the Lorden household.
Greg said it would be more accurate to say both of his parents gave 100 percent.
The Lordens had four children when Harry started going to night school three nights a week to further his career. When they moved to Hagerstown for his job as an appliance salesman, they had six children and his job required overnight travel two nights a week.
“She didn’t fuss at all. I owe all my success to her,” Harry said.
“When Dad traveled, we always knew Mom would be home,” said daughter Theresa Caputy of Vienna, Va.
The family lived on Cherry Tree Circle near Paramount. Even with four of her six children still at home, Kitty took in her bedridden parents from Baltimore in 1974.
More than nine years ago, Kitty and Harry moved to Summerland Manor, where they enjoyed an active social life, in addition to their church community at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church.
“She lived her faith, walked the walk,” Theresa said.
“She modeled what she believed,” Greg said.
Kitty and Harry had hosted a weekly Bible study together for 15 years. After moving to Summerland Manor, they started a weekly TGIF social in the late afternoon.
The Lordens’ home was a gathering place, in large part due to Kitty. She was known for her knack of being able to relate to all age groups, as well as making people feel special.
