Kathryn Ann Prescott

Kathryn Ann (Kitty) Prescott died in the early morning hours of December 27, 2016. For the nine preceding months she dealt bravely with health challenges including diverticulitis, a compression fracture of the spine, and a series of small strokes through all of which she maintained her sense of humor and facility with the apt comment. On Christmas morning she presided over a family gathering that included the opening of gifts, breakfast, and conversation. Later that day she suffered an additional stroke, which was one challenge too many to overcome.

She was born in McAllen, Texas on April 18, 1921 to Walter M. and Ruie V. Kelly as the third of their four children.

Kitty attended Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University) from which she received a B.S. Degree in biology. While there she met John M. (Mack) Prescott to whom she was married on June 1, 1946. During their more-than seventy years of marriage they shared experiences with devoted friends, traveled around the world, and created wonderful memories for their descendants. They have two sons: Stephen (Steve) lives in Oklahoma City with his wife Susan; Donald (Don) lives in College Station with his wife Anne. Kitty had four grandchildren--Allison Redstone (Jeremiah; New York City), John Prescott (Sheila; Austin), and Stephen and Gareth Prescott (both of College Station). She also had three great granddaughters--Ruby and Lily Redstone (both of New York City) and Isabella Prescott (Austin). All of Kitty's siblings died before her and she was devoted to her nieces and nephews and their families throughout her life.

She worked in the department of oceanography at Texas A&M University as a scientific writer and subsequently devoted herself to raising two sons and contributing to community activities. She and Mack were members of the First Baptist Church of Bryan for many years and over the past two decades belonged to the First Presbyterian Church. One of her early efforts as a volunteer was with the Newcomers Club, which welcomed new faculty to Texas A&M University, particularly helping those from abroad. She was a long-time member of the Woman's Club of Bryan where she served in multiple roles including president. She volunteered for Meals On Wheels, and for Brazos Valley hospice. She was an avid bridge player and an enthusiastic producer of hooked rugs--she introduced herself to her future daughter-in-law as a happy hooker.

Her family and friends will miss her generous spirit, her sense of humor, and her sharp insights. We have taken many lessons from her. One of the most enduring, if not always endearing, is to not tolerate pomposity or rude behavior. A favorite family story recounts her instruction to a wealthy and famous former A&M student that he, like any polite person, needed to remove his cowboy hat during a party in the President's house.

There will be a memorial service celebrating her life on Saturday, December 31 at 2:00 PM in the chapel at Arbor Oaks. The family asks that you not send flowers, though Kitty loved them, but instead to consider a gift to Brazos Valley Hospice or the Twin Cities Mission, which were her favorite charitable organizations.