Ignacio resident Catherine Marie Jefferson died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at her home. She was 75.

Known as “Kay,” she was born to James Seibert and Catherine M. Hull on Feb. 14, 1937, in Missoula, Mont.

She and Robert Richard Jefferson met as college students at Adams State College in Alamosa. The couple married in 1957 in Raton, N.M.

The Jeffersons lived in Ignacio after their marriage.

Mrs. Jefferson received an award as an Outstanding Young Woman in America in 1971. She held various jobs. Her primary job outside of the home was as a teacher’s aide at Ignacio Elementary School, from which she eventually retired.

Mrs. Jefferson made porcelain dolls, painted and drew.

“She was a wonderful and talented homemaker, artist, craftsperson, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, who cared about others and helped whoever and wherever she could,” her family said.

Mrs. Jefferson was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Robert R. Jefferson.

She is survived by her sons Robert M. Jefferson and Richard L. Jefferson, both of Ignacio; daughter, Robbi Lynn Mann, of Colorado Springs; sisters Joy Ortiz of Gypsum and Michele Martin of Costa Rica; brother, Morgan Seibert, of Gypsum; eight grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 East Third Ave.