LA MESA, Calif. — Kathleen Marie Heald of La Mesa, Calif., died June 9, 2013. Kathleen (Kay) began her life in Camden Dec. 22, 1921, the daughter of Wilmont D. Heald and Katherine (Thomas) Heald. Graduating from Camden High School in 1940, Kay worked for a short time at the Knox Woolen Mill and then attended business school in Boston.

She obtained employment as a cost accountant with Bath Iron Works. By this time the United States was in the middle of World War II. Kay enlisted in the Women's Marine Corps and was stationed in the D.C. area for the remainder of the war.

Following her Marine Corps experience, she enrolled at the University of Maine, graduated in 1950 and then continued graduate school at Ohio State University in Columbus, obtaining a master's degree in psychology in 1951. Kay moved back to Boston and worked for the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Association for nearly two years before moving to San Diego. Kay worked for the Red Cross for a short time before obtaining employment as a clinical psychologist in the San Diego school system. In 1962 Kathleen took a two-year leave of absence to work for the Army Department of Schools in Frankfurt, Germany, where she placed military children at their proper grade level. She and friends toured Europe, England, Scotland, Ireland, the Scandinavian countries, and Russia during holidays and school vacations. A highlight of her travels was the opportunity to spend one Christmas in the Holy Land.

She retired in 1983 from the San Diego School District. Her retirement present to herself was a trip to China. Following retirement, Kay volunteered at the local library teaching computer skills to adults. She was interested in crafts, playing bridge and was an avid stamp collector. She and friends traveled extensively in South America, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Kay was predeceased by her parents of Camden; and by her brother, Douglass A. Heald and his wife, Katherine (Jordan) Heald, of Rockland. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Haining of Whittier, Calif., and by her brother, Charles C. Heald and his wife, Barbara, of Lincolnville. She is also survived by her nieces, Tina Laskey and her husband, Stephen, of Whitefield, and Nancy Jamann and her husband, Fred, of Bethlehem, Pa.; and her nephews, James Haining and his wife, Brandie, of Whittier, Calif., Alan Heald of Saylorsburg, Pa., and Jeffrey Heald and his wife, Cherie, of Endicott, N.Y.; as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service at graveside will be held at the convenience of the family. Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Heald family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Camden.