Katherine Mary (Hoare) Pratt

Katherine Mary Pratt, 90, passed away peacefully with family on October 30th, 2025, at Greensboro Nursing Home in Greensboro, Vermont.

Kate was born on June 27th, 1935, to Leila Hoare (née Waterman) and Stewart Hoare, in Québec City, Quebec. She grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, and remained a proud Canadian her whole life, expressing no interest in getting U.S. citizenship despite living her latter 65 years here.  She attended the Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in Montréal, Quebec, where she met her first husband, Alexander Nies. They lived in Tappan, New York, for a short time before moving to Burlington, Vermont. 

Kate’s first love professionally was nursing. Upon moving to Vermont she worked as an RN at UVM Medical Center, until she had her children. Kate, Al and family moved to Jericho, where she was a stay-at-home mom. After her first marriage ended, Kate met her beloved husband Elwood Pratt. As her kids grew she returned to work in Jericho, first at The Flower Mill; later, she found a cherished work family at Snowflake Chocolates. She and Elwood made their home in Jericho for many years, then moved to Fletcher, and later Pantego, North Carolina. After Elwood’s death in 2014, Kate returned to Vermont, settling in Hyde Park.

Former co-workers described Kate as a ray of sunshine. She was a free spirit who, particularly in the last several years, could live totally in the moment and charm friends and strangers with her smile, laugh, and youthful enthusiasm.  She was readily delighted by the world around her, by the sights and sounds of birds, bright colors, or a ‘humdinger’ of a thunder storm. An eternal optimist, she brought good cheer, humor, and a love of helping to her relationships.  She saw the good in people, and the world. She was a lover of words, an accomplished puzzler and Scrabble player, and avid reader, especially of mysteries. She had a deep appreciation for music of many eras and genres, with a particular love of the Beatles. While she experienced many changes in the last years of her life, her remarkable spark for life remained. She was a lovely Mom and friend until the end. 

In 2019, her son Toby moved from the west coast to be her caregiver. The family thanks the additional team of caregivers who helped care for Kate with love and humor during her last year, allowing her to remain at home as long as possible. Many thanks also for the compassionate care and expertise of the staff at Greensboro Nursing Home, where Kate lived her last two months.   

Kate is survived by four children, Peter Nies, Ian Nies (Paul), Susan Nies (Ray), and Toby Nies; four stepchildren, Pam Pratt, Peter Pratt (Dixie), Chris Pratt (Fedora), and Scott Pratt; her sister-in-law Anita Hoare; and her nephews Chris Hoare and Tim Hoare (Lisa). She was predeceased by her husband, Elwood Pratt, and her brother, John Hoare.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

Condolences may be left here on her 'tribute wall' above, or mailed to 27 Pinewood Dr., Hyde Park, VT, 05655.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Greensboro Nursing Home, 47 Maggie’s Pond Rd., Greensboro, VT, 05841.

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