Kathryn “Katie” Hagar, whose infectious spirit, zest for life, love, and family, which was apparent to all who were fortunate to know her, died unexpectedly at home in Damariscotta on December 21st at the young age of 32.
Katie was born in Damariscotta, ME at Miles Memorial Hospital on March 9, 1986, the daughter of Cindy Waning Hagar and Mark Hagar of Jefferson and Damariscotta, ME. She was the youngest of three children, and is survived by her brothers, Seth and his partner Cheri and their son Gabe of Damariscotta; and Justin and his wife Melissa and their children, Aiden, Jakobi, William, Mia, Liv, and Hunter of Freeport, ME.
Katie will be dearly remembered and missed by her aunts and uncles, Sandy and Gerald, Chris, Karen-Ann; as well as cousins, Zachary, Darryl, Jr., Joshua, Alina, Camden, Mia, Samantha, Gabriela, Whitney, “Uncle” Jon; and her adoring pets, especially “Benny.” She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry Hagar Jr. (1983), and Patricia Hagar (2018), Roy Waning (2008) and Mildred Waning (1999); cousin, Christopher (2008); uncles, Darryl (2017), Randy (2018); and her beloved dog Layla.
At the young age of eleven, Katie began her racing career with the help of her parents where she joined the ranks of go-kart racers with Southern Maine Karting. During her high school career, she was a competitive athlete earning her Letter and multiple varsity pins. Katie graduated from Lincoln Academy of Newcastle in 2004. She became a glowing and empowering example for young women around the country. Proving that gender did not matter when it came to the sport of racing, she boldly made her mark in the racing world as a driver racing in the Allison Legacy Series (NEALS), Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Modified Division and later moving on to the Outlaw Late Model series. In 2008 Katie was selected for NASCAR Drive for Diversity, and enjoyed racing on the west coast. In 2009 she was successful in setting the track qualifying record in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model division at Stockton 99 Speedway. To the world of racing, she was known as a fierce competitor, always on time, present, and ready for whatever challenge came her way. To her rivals, she competed with unbridled tenacity and because of her verve and talent, made others work harder to be their best.
In 2006, she attended Kennebec Valley Community College, obtaining her EMT-B license. Following that, she moved to Charlotte, NC with her long-time love Stephen, where she stayed connected to her racing roots and obtained a degree from Mitchell Community College in 2014, becoming a licensed Professional Cosmetologist. During her time in North Carolina, she wore many hats, including a metal fabricator and stylist for Merle Norman Cosmetics. She was the perfect balance of beauty and skill.
In 2014, our hometown girl missed her roots and decided to move back to her home in Damariscotta where she helped the family business and enjoyed being close to family again. Shortly after returning home to Damariscotta, she continued to work as a Cosmetologist, but also worked many hours as a caretaker for the elderly community. She spent meaningful hours providing personal care to her clients but also took pleasure in helping them attend church services and other activities they enjoyed. She was a master metal fabricator and spent many hours welding and working with her hands. She was known as someone who was hardworking, but innately talented. The combination of her hardworking spirit, no-nonsense attitude, and unparalleled honesty made her a force to be reckoned with in all areas of life. If Katie set her mind to something, there was no stopping her. She lived to give back to her community, her friends, and those who she held close to her heart. She loved her animals and was always finding ways to better care for her dogs and cats.
Katie showed her compassion in many ways. Examples include handing out personal hygiene care packages to the homeless in North Carolina, her strong charitable work with Make-A-Wish Foundation by hosting a Ride and Drive event at Wiscasset Speedway (2007). She always showed commitment while making it fun. She felt a strong desire to aid the fight against breast cancer through events such as the Making Strides walk in her hometown of Damariscotta (2004) as well as participating in the “Pink in the Rink” events.
To sum up a young woman like Katie in a few short paragraphs does not seem fair to those who are left behind. To organize thoughts about the way she lived and those of whom she leaves behind is an impossible task. Her friends and family remember Katie as loving and giving, organized and thoughtful. Despite her long struggle with Graves’ Disease, she remained caring, loving, empathetic toward others, and had limitless patience, a constant reminder of the kind of person you were supposed to be. She would want us to be open about struggles with mental health and suicide, and the connection between physical and mental health, as well as the lasting impact on an entire community.
An informal gathering, and celebration of Katie’s life, will be held from 1:00-4:00 pm, on Sunday, January 6th at the 1812 Farm in Bristol. Feel free to stop in anytime between those hours. If willing, her family asks that you come with a photo or story to share. Those who know Katie well will tell you she loved flowers and disliked being cold. She will be laid to rest privately in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Katie’s memory may be made to either: Lincoln Health Development Office, for the Survivors of Suicide Support Group (SOS), Attn: Julie Delong, 35 Miles Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543; or Midcoast Humane (Formerly Lincoln County Animal Shelter), 190 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.
