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120 Wrights Lane
Hot Springs, AR 71913
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“We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family during this time. Virginia Marak Cheryl Marak Oliver ”
1 of 16 | Posted by: cheryl Marak Oliver/Virginia Marak - OR

“Prayers are with the family. I have such good memories of being in Mrs. Kaufman's Sunday School class and was very touched that she attended my...Read More »
2 of 16 | Posted by: Anne Russ - Little Rock, AR

“We are truly sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ”
3 of 16 | Posted by: Wayne and Neva Thomas - Bismarck, AR

“Dear Ben, Joe and "Greta Babe", I have such fond memories of Catherine, especially in the halls of St. Joseph. You are all in my thoughts at this...Read More »
4 of 16 | Posted by: Nell Brewer - HSV, AR

“She was a lovely lady and will be missed by many. ”
5 of 16 | Posted by: curtis and nita clare ridgway and nita k. - AR

“We were sorry to hear of your loss. She will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. ”
6 of 16 | Posted by: Jack and Polly Bales - AR

“My condolences to Mrs. Kaufman's family. She was a customer of mine when I worked for Talbots in Little Rock. She was always so kind and gracious. We...Read More »
7 of 16 | Posted by: annette williams - Little Rock, AR

“We have lost a beautiful lady full of charm with that Southern accent of hers. May the many years of happy memories serve Ben and their children well...Read More »
8 of 16 | Posted by: Marvin & Nancy Jones - MO

“Catherine was such a special person and one that I am very glad to have been friends with while working together at the hospital pharmacy. I would...Read More »
9 of 16 | Posted by: Marti Henson - Bonnerdale, AR

“I will surely miss Catherine both as a friend and next door neighbor. She was a shining Christian example to my family and our lives have been...Read More »
10 of 16 | Posted by: Dan Anderson - Hot Springs, AR

“Sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. ”
11 of 16 | Posted by: Wayne Duncan - AR

“Karen, What a beautiful and amazing lady your mother must have been. I know you will miss her very much. We are sorry for your loss. Mary ”
12 of 16 | Posted by: Mary Hickman - Malvern

“Catherine has always been and always will be such a special lady to me. She inspired me when I was growing up. I always wanted to have her poise and...Read More »
13 of 16 | Posted by: Mikka Mooney - Broken Arrow, OK

“I shall miss my fishing buddy ! I will always remembber your kindness Forever, Nikki ”
14 of 16 | Posted by: Nikki Grisham - Hot Springs, AR

“Catherine was a special lady and good friend that I worked with. Loved to hear her talk and tell stories about her life. Heaven and Jesus has...Read More »
15 of 16 | Posted by: Tupie Sheppard - Hot Springs, AR

“I worked with Ms. Catherine at St. Joe's for 5 years. I enjoyed her pound cake's she brought for pot luck and of course her smiling presence. I...Read More »
16 of 16 | Posted by: David Henderson - co-worker


Catherine M. Kaufman, 85, of Hot Springs died of heart failure at St. Joseph's Hospital on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.
Born and raised La Grange, Fayette County, Tennessee to Charles William McNeill and Lucy Mayo Murrell McNeill on September 23, 1926.
Catherine graduated from Somerville High School, Fayette County, TN as valedictorian of her class and moved to Memphis shortly thereafter.
She graduated from The University of Tennessee School of Medicine with a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy. After attending school continuously from high school to her college degree, she was not only the youngest, but the first female pharmacist at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis.
Catherine met Ben L. Kaufman when they were both living in Memphis at the Monroe Towers high rise apartments while she was working at The Baptist Hospital and he was employed as an engineer with Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
They were married in 1960 and started their family while still in Memphis. Less than one and a half years after they built their new home, they moved back to Hot Springs – Ben's hometown.
Catherine and Ben's family consisted of Karen Allen Kaufman, Lisa Karol Kaufman, and Ben L. Kaufman Jr.
She was pre-deceased by one brother, John W. McNeill; two sisters, Sarah Elizabeth McNeill, and Martha Francis McNeill; and both mother, father and daughter Lisa.
When moving to Hot Springs, she immediately became active by joining several organizations. Among these were Junior Auxiliary (Life Member), Progressive Club, Hot Springs Needlepoint Guild, American Red Cross (Board Member), and the YWCA (10 years). She was a member of the DAR and actively served as Secretary for eight years.
For her children she was involved with Brownie Scouts (leader), Red Cross Swimming, PTA, Hot Springs High School Parents Association.
She was an active pharmacist since graduation and was licensed in both Tennessee and Arkansas. In Hot Springs she worked at Cain's Drug Store, Medical Center Pharmacy, Levi Hospital, Hot Spring County Hospital in Malvern, and for over 18 years at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs.
She was honored in 1998 by The University of Tennessee School of Pharmacy and by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy for 50 years of service. She still carries her license for a total of 63 years. She was past member of the Garland County Pharmaceutical Association.
She joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1965 where she taught Sunday school for years, was a Circle member, honorary life member of Presbyterian Women and ruling elder having served as clerk of the session.
She loved her church and was a dedicated, faithful believer.
Her family and the Church were the love of her life.
Survivors are Ben L. Kaufman her husband of 51 years, daughter Karen A. Wacaster and son-in-law Jack Wacaster, and son Ben L. Kaufman Jr. Other survivors include brother-in-law Joe A. Kaufman and his family Gretta D. Kaufman, Gretchen L. Kaufman, and Kristin S. Kaufman; sister-in-law Sally Pat Sheppard of Collierville, TN and a host of friends.
Services will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3819 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71913 with visitation prior to service at 1:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m. Friday. Burial will be private at Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs.
Pastor Jeff Cranton will officiate. Pall bearers are Larry Stephens, Jeff Stephens, Larry Stanley, Micky Mooney, Jim Dowds, and Joe A. Kaufman.
The family acknowledges and very much appreciates the excellent care provided Catherine by Dr. Daniel Owens, Dr. Rajesh Shroff, and the entire staff of doctors, nurses, and aides of the St. Joseph's ICU.
Memorials should be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center Mercy Sharing.