Obituary for Kathleen Friel Hobson

Kathleen Friel Hobson, daughter of the late James and Claire Friel, passed away on August 16, 2026 at her home in Murphy, North Carolina.

She was born in the historic Germantown area of Philadelphia on November 22, 1950 and grew up there. As a graduate of Little Flower Catholic High School, she always cherished her relationship with her teachers which led her into her first career as a teacher. Graduating from Temple University in Education she then taught junior high students in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina and Louisiana. Always an achiever, she graduated Tulane Law School, Magna cum Laude and clerked for Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice, John A. Dixon Jr before being hired by the Liskow and Lewis law firm of New Orleans, LA in 1988.

In 1989 as a volunteer with New Orleans Area Habitat For Humanity, she met another volunteer who would become her husband in 1995 when she was president of the board of the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. Her passion for caring about people was unshakable. She served on the board of Poydras Home in New Orleans. She loved dancing, photography, birding and snow skiing.

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." She refused to merely exist. Rising from the strict, humble rows of working-class Catholic Philadelphia, she took every hardship thrown her way and used it to forge a brilliant legal career entirely on her own terms. Yet destiny has its own beautiful design, and it was along the sweeping banks of the mighty Mississippi that the currents of life introduced her to an old New Orleans boy who captured her heart entirely. She brought that same remarkable strength and resilience to her newfound family, pouring her heart into raising a teenage boy alongside my father, the great love of her life.

As their shared journey unfolded, she let her husband sweep her away to the scenic ridges of the Western North Carolina mountains. Together, they embraced a life of boundless adventure. While her bravery took many forms—even gracing the back of his motorcycle for a single, unforgettable birthday ride—their shared wanderlust led them on a breathtaking trip to Japan, through the thrilling Baja 4000, and on countless other adventures, exploring the far corners of the world and proving every single day what it truly means to live.

Though you are no longer here to share in this beautiful world, the profound strength, gentle kindness, and beautiful lessons you taught us will be with us always. As your bright light goes on to shine in places we cannot fathom, its radiant brilliance will never fade, having profoundly awakened and forever kindled the lights of everyone you touched.

She is preceded in death by her two brothers, Dennis and Kevin Friel.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Kendall Hobson; her son, John Hobson; her daughter-in-law, Sarah Hobson; her grandchildren, Kendall, Riley, Bella and Priscilla Hobson; and her niece, Deinna Davalos.

A celebration of her life has been held in the Unaka community.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Unaka Community Center (14945 Joe Brown Hwy, Murphy, NC 28906) or the Four Seasons Hospice (571 S Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731).

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.