Catherine (Kitty) Harvey Woodworth
June 29, 1935 - April 13, 2018
Obituary
Catherine (Kitty) Harvey Woodworth passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on the evening of April 13, 2018. Kitty was born Catherine Claudette Harvey on June 29, 1935 in Jacksonville Florida to loving parents Virginia and I.D Harvey. Kitty spent much of her early childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the oldest of four siblings. Her family moved to the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn, where she attended Glenbard High school before completing an Associate’s degree at Sullins College in Bristol, VA. At Sullins College she received the “All College Service Award” for her leadership activities in addition to being elected president of the judicial council and the queen of the Mardi Gras carnival.
After graduation Kitty married the love of her life, Bob Woodworth, in a candlelight ceremony on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1956. She worked for Time Magazine while Bob finished his PhD at Northwestern. The couple moved to Seattle as Bob became an associate professor at the University of Washington’s business school. Kitty created a loving home for her husband, their three children and six grandchildren
Gracious, kind and supportive, Kitty generously shared her southern hospitality with everyone. She especially enjoyed the company of close friends from her neighborhood, the University of Washington and Sand Point United Methodist Church communities. Kitty created memories with family and friends on vacations in Hawaii, summers on Whidbey Island and winters in Palm Desert, CA, especially during cocktail hour. Kitty was full of joy, thankful for and content with the gifts in her life. She was blessed with a beautiful smile, a tremendous sense of humor, a quick wit, a sharp mind and a gift for valuing others.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Bob Woodworth. She is survived by her sisters; Patricia David, and Judy (Chuck) Kellner, and her brother, Peter Harvey, her three children; Beth (Dick) Kent, Tom (Martha) Woodworth and Steve (Stacey) Woodworth, her six grandchildren; Matthew and Jeffrey Kent, Nicole, Michelle, Cassie, and Camryn Woodworth and an exceptional extended family.
Kitty’s quality of life was enhanced by the love of her full time care givers Ruth, Angie and Chad. We are grateful and humbled by their tireless, generous devotion. We also thank the medical staff at Swedish Cherry Hill Emergency for their kindness and sensitivity at the end of Kitty’s life.
Services will be held at Sandpoint Community United Methodist Church, 4710 NE 70th St, Seattle, WA 98115, on Friday May 11 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to one of Kitty’s favorite charities, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or the Medic One Foundation. Visit bonneywatson.com and search for Catherine Woodworth if you would like to leave a message in the online guest book.
Shocked and deeply saddened to learn of our dear Kitty’s passing. She was such a joy as a friend, and Ii’ll always treasure memories of wonderful couples and six-some times with her, Bob and my Boyd, and with Barbara and Joe Erak, Woodworths and Eraks were four of our very first Seattle close friends sixty years ago and I thank God for each and all of them.