Katherine Walton Staley of Mexico, died on September 19, 2024. She was 88.
Katherine passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Pin Oaks Living Facility in Mexico, where she had been a resident for the final four years of her life. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter G. Staley Jr., her daughter Kate Staley, and her grandson Matthew Beauchamp. She is survived by her sons, Walter G. Staley III and Franklin E. W. Staley, and four grandchildren: Adam Trull, Nat Beauchamp, Franklin E.W. Staley Jr. (“Walton”), and Josephine O. Staley.
Born on February 27, 1936, in St. Louis, Katherine was the daughter and only child of Dr. Franklin E. and Helen Walton. She grew up in the township of Ladue, and attended Mary Institute School for Girls and John Burroughs High School. She nurtured a love of both music and tennis from a young age, and excelled at both throughout her life.
Katherine received an A. B. degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts in 1957, before returning to her hometown St. Louis and earning a master’s degree in education from Washington University. She went on to teach second grade for several years.
She met Walter G. Staley, Jr. (“Wally”) in 1960 after being “set up” by their parents for a summer afternoon tennis match. Wally was a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team, on his way to his third Olympics in 1960. The two fell quickly in love, and were married a year later in June under a grand tent in the sprawling yard behind Katherine’s parents’ house in Ladue. The two maintained a profound love for one another throughout the rest of their lives, and Katherine would go on to later say that meeting and marrying Wally and their life together was the greatest thing that ever happened to her.
Katherine and Wally began their life together in an apartment in Clayton, while Wally completed his master’s degree at Washington University. It was during this time that she gave birth to their first son, Walter G. Staley III, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.
They soon relocated to State College, Penn., where Wally pursued his Ph. D at Penn State University. In 1965, Katherine gave birth to their daughter, Kate W. Staley, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Upon completion of Wally’s degree, Katherine and Wally moved back to Missouri to the city of Mexico, where Wally took a research department position at A.P. Green Refractories Company, the firebrick company founded by his grandfather. In 1970, Katherine gave birth to their third and final child, Franklin Edward Walton Staley.
Katherine and Wally would go on to raise their family in Mexico, and live there for the remainder of their lives, both deeply engaged in the community. Katherine maintained her love of playing piano and tennis, and in 1976 she won the Mexico City Tournament Women’s Singles Championship playing as an underdog at the age of 40. Katherine cherished the many other activities and groups to which she devoted so much of her time and energy in town. Both Katherine and Wally were also active and devoted members of the First Presbyterian Church.
More than anything, Katherine will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother; a devoted and passionate long-time friend to many in her community, and a tireless rock of support to those friends in times of need. She carried herself each day with a cheerful spirit, empathy for all, and the perpetual optimism that tomorrow can always be better than today.
Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, at the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico. Private Family Graveside will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.
Visitation is Friday, October 4, from 5-7 p.m. at Arnold Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at www.arnoldfh.com
