Share your memories of Kate

“I loved and respected your mom so much. She always made me feel so good when I was around her. As you know well, my parents loved her. She was--as you all are-- their family… One time I had a layover between fencing trips and she picked me up and had me with her for the night. She had such a beautiful, insightful, and witty way about her; I felt loved whenever I was in her presence.”

— Sara Walsh

Kate didn’t walk - she bounced! And she brought a “lift” to the spirits of those around her. Her radar was always on to the needs of others. I know, because I have been the recipient of so many of her phone calls checking on me over the years. Whether it was a follow up to a surgery, a cough or a hang nail, she was on the other line with encouraging words and a story or comment to make me laugh.

During the period of time when Dad and I lived together, Kate and Hub came to visit frequently, so it was a bonus for me as well. My favorite times were our late hours, after everyone else had gone to bed. Both night owls, we found new stories, interests and memories to talk about into the wee hours of the morning. During these sharings I learned more about her childhood, her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, etc. After dad died these visiting times were especially precious. She was right in there with Hub - renovating a bathroom, weeding the yard, planting more flowers…always making light of her efforts.

I was struck by her response once, when I complimented her on her seemingly endless creativity. Pointing out how much she had admired my efforts with my job and family over the years, she graciously acknowledged that she had always had the luxury of time and funds to pursue her many areas of interest. This was Kate. Her very best gift to me was the hour-long phone call she made to me one Saturday morning in her last weeks. She spoke honestly and briefly about her condition and experiences, then moved on to talk about my life, health and family, interjecting her humor throughout…so like all of our conversations in the past. This was just one more of Kate’s gifts to me. What a treasure of a sister!

— Beverly Bradley

“The first time I met Kate was when I was probably in fifth grade and we lived in Winding Brook Park. My big brother Hub brought this petite, really pretty, fun-loving St. Mary's College student over to our house to meet the family. She wore a million-dollar smile. Kate was bubbly, so friendly and kind. After some chit chat and changes of venue for gathering within our house, not sure quite what compelled me to say to Kate, "We have a really 'weird' family!" but I did blurt that out - I think 'weird' was the cool new word at the time and I employed it often. Once I said it the room erupted in raucous laughter, and some audible moans - I was embarrassed. In true Kate form, not missing a beat, she read the situation and with absolute kindness, that genuine, warm smile on her face, she said something - I cannot even remember what she said in that blur of a moment - but her face, her person, reassured me and she made sure I regained my dignity and let me know all was well. In that moment, even as a young fifth grader, that she would be my sister-in-law and that I really, really liked her!

Fast forward twenty-eight years or so, on my wedding day when I was rather nervous about the prospect of a lifetime with my to-be husband - again, astutely reading the situation - Kate privately spoke a word of truth (humorously) to me that broke the tension, rebooted my brain, and gave me peace. It was a gutsy move on her part. But that was Kate. She was always thinking of the other person with deep love in her intention. Thirty-two years (of a very happy marriage) later I say thank you, Kate, for setting such a high bar...Truth, Beauty, Goodness... Love you so much!”

— Alicia Cassell

“I don't know what I can add to the beautiful tribute on this page, just that Kate was my co-worker and my friend. We had many things in common, it was an easy, comfortable friendship. I still remember Kate dressed up as the Christmas elf at the Geneva Library holiday party. The diminutive Kate, ushering each child to meet Santa, her smile as large as any child's. Her smile. That is what stands out in every one of those photos. It is how I will remember her.”

— Nancy Bell

“Another of Kate's many talents was her story-telling. She could make every day occurrences amusing but she was at her best describing one of her adventures. I remember her description of her work at a sheep farm. She made me feel I could see her interactions with the people as well as the sheep--especially when she stuck her hand inside the ewe to assist her as she gave birth to a little lamb. Who else but Kate would do this and then entertain us with her experience! Kate was such a unique person---much admired and lovingly remembered.”

— Kathy Miller

“Rememberingkate is a beautiful testament to a remarkable person. I appreciate the time that I was able to spend with her and wish I had the chance to know my Aunt Kate better. I remember her smile and positivity. I always enjoyed talking to Aunt Kate—she cared about what I was saying and listened.”

— Louie, Jenny, Dominic, Luke, Mary Kate, and John Miller

“Thank you for the beautiful "story" of Kate, the pictures and the artwork. I knew Kate primarily through the loving words and quick smile that emanated from Hub whenever he spoke of her. Upon meeting her, I quickly understood how special she was and what an awesome couple Hub and Kate were. I pray that the peace of God rest on Hub and the extended family, and that you rightly celebrate a life so well lived...”

— Brian Holian

“Kate was a special spirit. One memory that stands out in my mind is when her cousin and my wife Janice was battling breast cancer when I was unable to go to appointments Kate was the person who would take Janice and be a second set of ears and a wonderful support.”

— Steve Hutchins

“I have known Kathleen for more than 60 years. Our friendship has grown over the years to one that I cherish with all my heart. I will miss her beautiful smile, her quick wit, her intellect and her ability to make me feel special and important. She always seemed to brighten my day whenever I was in her presence, or when we spoke on the phone. There were even two special occasions when I believe she was sent to me to be my savior. I was able to thank her for that in her final days to let her know how much that meant to me. She was also a very creative person, as I experienced by the hand-made gifts that she gave me over the years, that I will cherish forever. I keep the book that she wrote and illustrated on our bookcase and marvel at the artwork, especially because I remember her telling my husband Bill and I how she painstakingly created each illustrations.

Kathleen's passing has left a hole in our hearts. Bill was fortunate to have gotten to know and love her over the past years. We both agree that to know Kathleen is to love her.

Thank you, Kathleen, for letting us into your life.”

— Rose and Bill Armstrong

I remember the first time I met John and Kate. My son, Matthew, and John were in 4 year old nursery school together, at St. Luke's in Silver Spring, Md. It was the first week of school and we were in the parking lot going to our cars, John yelled out to Matthew "Bye Matthew". I thought to myself, it looks like Matthew made a friend. Kate smiled at us and I returned the same. Before long the boys had playdates together and Kate and I realized we had a lot in common.

I loved the way she had decorated their home on Kingsbury. She inspired me to start working on our home with the "Early American" look and getting antiques and creating crafts. We also discovered how much we both liked working with our hands and constantly making things. She started me with quilting, we stenciled floor cloths and then we took our first basket class together and then a second one. I was hooked and never stopped making baskets. Kate on the other hand. would always start different crafts, which I would follow but I would always return to basket weaving. Kate was very much into stenciling and creating her own designs, She also stenciled 2 borders in our home in Silver Spring. We even did some Craft Shows together We lived close enough together that when we did make something we would run over to each other's house and get an approval of our work. If she made something and didn't like it, instead of her throwing her creation away, I would take it home and frame it. She was so talented.

As time went on our families became family friends. Then they moved to Illinois and I was heart broken, I thought I lost my crafting friend, but as time went on, we became closer. Our family visited them out in Illinois, Pennsylvania and then New York. When we decided to finally move to Maine, Kate helped us go house hunting. Then the tragedy of our daughter happened, she was in a car accident and passed away. Both Hub and Kate were there by our side. They both helped us by getting the house we bought together, in Maine, as it needed a lot of work. We were numb after the passing of Beth. Kate spent many times on the phone with me listening and supporting my grief. Hub and Kate came to visit often as we also went to visit them in New York.

The last real conversation we had was on my birthday in May. After that things were never the same for her. We kept in touch sometimes by phone calls, but mostly texts. I texted her almost everyday giving her hopeful thoughts. When Hub called me that she was going into Hospice our hearts sank. Kate called both John and I and gave us a good bye call. I told her how much she meant to me as a friend. Kate was like a sister to me, a sister I never had. I admired her as a person that had it all together. She was so special to me. I always looked up to her and she gave me guidance many times in many ways. I don't know how life can go on without her, but it will in memories. I have so many things she made me over the years, and I would tell her that my house was the Kate Miller Museum. She told me she hoped that some day I could sell it and to hope I could get some money for it. I was lucky enough to receive the last thing she made. It was for my birthday a pair of hand knitted wool socks. I will treasure them. I will always feel her presence in our home. She left me with not only her art and talent but she helped me grow in many ways that it will always be in my heart.

I will miss you Kate forever and until we meet again. I love you.

— Kathy Polletto

I will always remember Kate's intelligent, funny and insightful discussions at book club. She was fierce in her beliefs about human rights, social justice, politics and the environment...and we saw eye-to-eye. I will miss her.

— Lauren Kirkwood

“Kate, Thanks for all the gifts of laughter, great gatherings, and stories. I cherish them all. Until we meet again”

— Irene Palma

“Our monthly cousin lunches are special times for all of us to reconnect and visit. Kate made it a point to attend as much as possible. I enjoyed spending time with her. In addition to the lunches both Kate and Hub attended our Family Christmas gatherings. It was always wonderful for both of them to attend. Hopefully we will be able to resume the gathering and will look forward to visiting with Hub and family in the future.”

— Nancy Piscitelli

“I met Kate at the beginning of our second semester at Saint May’s College. She embodied the best qualities of human nature—she was so genuine, kind, thoughtful, honest, down-to-earth, creative. Kate loved life...and cookies from my mother. I was fortunate to know her in those early years. Occasionally, later in life I loved hearing about her family and about her advocacy for many good causes. Oh, Kate. How special you were!

— Susan Vanek

“Kate was a lovely And perceptive friend, when I lost my hearing at 47, she got it. She wrote me a poem about it.”

— Shelley Minch

“My Kate story: Six years ago, I returned to St Mary's for the first time in 45 years. I had booked when the only classmate I had seen in recent years was going. She subsequently cancelled, and I had very mixed feelings about returning- too much water under the bridge, too little connection. On the first day of the reunion I somehow ended up sitting with Kate and Ellen Stanley Jones.

That conversation changed everything for me. For the rest of the reunion, I found them whenever I could - sharing laughs, memories, reflections and current life stories-including hilarious stories about cycling mishaps. Kate and I shared a walk through the tunnels and ended up in the bookstore looking at old year books - more laughter. As we left, we promised to keep in touch and Kate promised to send her book.

After that we kept in touch by email- and one day an autographed copy of her book arrived in the mail. I was blown away by her talent, her generosity and her humility. This was not your average book. After seeing Kate's book, the North Vancouver public library brought in a copy. On a recent visit I spotted a child removing it from the display positon on the top of the bookcase, and promptly sitting down cross-legged on the floor turning pages. That image now reminds me that Kate will continue for many years to open eyes, young and old, to the world's magic.

At the last SMC " E-union", we managed to end up in a chat room with two other friends- Mary McCoy and Ginny Berney. That night Kate sent us all email addresses, remarking what a good thing it was that we were the very last ones to leave.

When we discovered we both had iPhones, we switched to iMessaging -- frequent conversations about Canadian and American politics, the campaign of 2020, music, books, our kids, our families, COVID, making plans to meet up in New England, and to be in Nova Scotia for the next live Celtic Colours Festival.

Kate brought so very much into my life in these few short years. Her smile was a thing of wonder- a great big radiant welcoming light; her laughter could infect a marble statue. Her positive energy and generosity were truly amazing- right to the end, when she took the time to text me a heart emoji. Thank you Kate, for finding me at that reunion and giving me a Kate story to remember. I miss you so damn much.”

— Jinny Hobson

I was privileged to work with Kate at the Geneva Public Library. She was so positive, enthusiastic and friendly along with her beautiful smile. I was in awe of her artistic talent. She created our gigantic bulletin board into a work of art. And her storytime crafts were amazing! I’ll never forget how she led a group of coworkers into the wrong house ( she was Positive it was the correct address) for a work pot luck! When we realized we were trespassing ( or breaking and entering), we practically trampled each other trying to dash out the door!! Knowing Kate was an adventure! Thanks for the memories Kate. I will miss you!

— Ellen Rivers

When I think of Aunt Kate, I always picture her with a smile on her face because every time I saw her, she had that warm smile on her face and laughing eyes. She was so down to earth, humble, and thoughtful of others. She had such a joy to her that she passed on to all she met. I also still have a beautiful Alice in Wonderland book that she gave me for a birthday when I was 8 or 9 years old. Over the years, my daughters read it, and now I will share it with my grand daughters when they are old enough. I will think of smiling Aunt Kate every time that I read it.

— Betsy Williams