Catherine Neal Hartman
Catherine Neal Hartman, the wife of the late Rev. Robert H. Hartman, died Jan. 30, 2019, two days short of her 87thbirthday. She was at Seasons Hospice. A memorial service was held at Westminster UMC Feb. 10.
Catherine Neal was born April 2, 1932, in Greensboro, N.C., the daughter of the late Fred A. and Blanche W. Neal. She was a 1955 graduate of Guilford College in Greensboro, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies. She attended graduate school at Boston University School of Theology, and at then Western Maryland College.
She and the Rev. Robert H. Hartman, a retired Elder, married in 1956 early in his career in academia. They had two children. He died Feb. 11, 2007.
The family moved to Westminster in 1969 when her husband became a member of the faculty in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at Western Maryland College. For 20 years, he was department chairman. He remained at the school for 26 years until his retirement in 1995.
She taught special education and English at Westminster High School from 1970-1989. She became a member of Westminster UMC when they arrived in 1969, and over the years held leadership positions in the church in the areas of worship, membership, Evangelism, and the Committee on the Status and Role of Women. She served on the Justice Committee, Alter Guild, Staff Parish Relations Committee, Council on Ministries, and the Administrative Board.
Hartman was a fifth grade Sunday school teacher and was co-director of the middle school church youth program in the 1970s. She was a volunteer in the church office, at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, and a member of the United Methodist Women for many years and a member of the senior adult outreach program of the church.
Hartman was also active in the community, including with the Federated Woman's Club of Westminster, Inc. since 1984, a lifetime member of the American Association of University Women, a former Carroll County Branch President, a volunteer at Carroll Hospital Center from 2002-2018, and a member of the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee from 2007-2010.
She was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and the Maryland Terps. She was also an animal lover.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, David A. Hartman of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Mark Kelbaugh of Westminster, daughter-in-law Susan Hartman of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and a grandson., nieces, nephews and cousins. Two brothers and their wives also survive.
Condolences may be sent to Carol Kelbaugh c/o Westminster UMC, address below.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westminster UMC soup kitchen, 165 E. Main St., Westminster, MD 21157-5013 or to the Carroll County Humane Society at https://hscarroll.org/donate-by-credit-card/.