Kathleen, the younger daughter of Tom and Lily was born at home In New Dorp, Staten Island, New York. She barely survived – having turned blue, ‘because of a chill’. He father had to hold her over a stove throughout the night: and fearing the worst gave her two drops of brandy. Her first nourishment proved successful.

K entered the job market in 1940, and in 1943 joined an international oil company that became the Caltex Petroleum Corporation. The operation produced, refined and marketed petroleum products worldwide principally in the eastern hemisphere, but always outside the United States. The Texaco and the Standard Oil Company of California (later Chevron) were joint owners. Bucking the trend of male domination within the oil industry K experienced an intensely busy and exciting career. Her operational title was ‘Procurement Executive’.

Her cousins wrote of her during those years in New York:-

“As Procurement Executive K showed a special flair when purchasing gifts for heads of state such as emirs of Arab countries.  Harland visitors found it a treat to visit her in New York City and experience her fearless driving in her red Mercedes convertible en route to dinner at one of the best restaurants. If you were really lucky she would take you to a box at the Metropolitan Opera”.

In 1982 the company, along with K, re-located to Dallas Texas and she owned property there.  But, after 41 years service, she retired in 1984 and moved again to San Dimas, California.   

K has been the smallest of the Harland clan, never quite making it to five feet in height. But she made up for this by being a bundle of energy , with a constantly active and enquiring mind. For over half a century K travelled extensively. She made her first of many  visits to Hillside in 1950.

Anna Kathleen (K) Harland

b. 30 March 1919

At the age of four K was sent to kindergarten. The school was three miles from home and reached by steam train, with still another mile to walk from the railway station to the school. Thus began her education through the New York City school system.