Kitty Lansdale

Kitty Susan Lansdale of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully at age 75 on July 12, 2025 after a long battle with vascular dementia. She spent her last days at an Avalon Home in McLean, VA supported by a wonderful group of caregivers. Born on May 3, 1950, in Cerro de Pasco in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Kitty resided in Washington, DC for most of her life.

After traveling the world, living at times in Peru, South Africa and Australia, and graduating from Smith College in 1972, Kitty made Washington DC her home. She worked for the United Nations before starting her own event production firm, Lansdale Associates, in 1983. For over 35 years, Lansdale Associates created and managed black tie galas, fundraising galas, movie premieres and award ceremonies for the United Nations Association, UNICEF, World Environment Center, Woodley House, Children’s Defense Fund and many others, honoring luminaries from Audrey Hepburn to Hilary Clinton.

Kitty hosted many champagne toasts in her condominium in The Towers on Cathedral Avenue with her dear friends, clients and colleagues who became her DC family. Kitty loved cats and was never without one (sometimes two) even though her condominium association forbade pets. For nearly 40 years she was a frequent presence in the Wesley Heights neighborhood, especially at her beloved Chef Geoff’s restaurant.

Kitty was a champion of innumerable causes. She held a board position with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, campaigned passionately for the Democratic Party and supported numerous local charities. As her last act, she donated to the Brain Donor Project to help advance research for brain related treatments and cures.

Kitty is preceded in death by her parents First Lieutenant John Robert Lansdale and Gisela “Ginny” Lansdale as well as her beloved Ragdoll cats Samantha and Snickers. Kitty is survived by her brothers Gary (Kathy) and John (Karen), their children and grandchildren including her beloved niece, Ashley Lansdale, and numerous cousins and friends that she adored. A private gathering in Kitty’s honor will be held at a future date. Details will be shared on her CaringBridge page. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Humane Rescue Alliance at https://www.humanerescuealliance.org/support-us