Kathleen Litton Hulan

Kathleen Litton Hulan, 78, of Springfield, VA died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at the INOVA Alexandria Hospital, having struggled with multiple health issues over the preceding four months. Kathy was born June 13, 1943 in Birmingham, MI to Felix B. and Wilma (Norton) Litton, respectively of Oneida, TN and Bessemer, AL. She grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and in Killingworth, CT. She was a 1971 graduate of Vanderbilt University, having interrupted her studies there by marrying her college sweetheart Richard H. Hulan in Cynthiana, KY, Oct. 23, 1964. They began married life in Chevy Chase, MD, becoming charter members of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington and of its original Sacred Harp singing group. In 1966 they returned to Nashville for further education and work. Their sons Matthew L. (1969) and Benjamin H. Hulan (1972) were born there.

During a second residency in the capital area, Kathy was active in the Potomac Craftsmen’s Guild, specializing in textile arts. From 1976 through 1980 the Hulans lived in Austin, TX. Kathy worked for the University of Texas department of Environmental Engineering, then for Espy, Huston Associates, where her vocation turned toward accounting. Moving back to Northern Virginia in 1981, she became the lead accountant for NGOs including the research foundations of the American Consulting Engineering Council and of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Alliance to Save Energy. From 1992 until her final illness, Kathy played sekunda balalaika, prima and tenor domras, and for many years was the Treasurer and contracting officer of the Washington Balalaika Society orchestra.

An exemplary and beloved partner for sixty years, mother for more than fifty, and sister for her whole life, Kathy is survived by her husband Dick, sons Matt (Nancy) and Ben (Yessel); brother David (Donna) Litton, and brother-in-law David (Marcia) Hulan; grandsons Sam (2002), Lukas (2003) and Eli (2008) Hulan; nieces Rachel Hulan and Julia Litton, and nephew Mark Litton, their spouses and children. A celebration of her life is planned for early April. In lieu of floral or material memorials, the family suggests donations to the nonprofit WBS at www.balalaika.org.