Kathryn Jishuang Wagner Billings

Kathryn Jishuang Wagner Billings was born May 8, 2000 in Wuxi, China and joined her forever family on September 19, 2021, in Wuxi. Beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, and animal lover, Kate passed away on March 3, 2026, at the age of 25.

She lived her life in Washington, DC, with short and longer visits to New York City, Rehoboth Beach, Nantucket, New Hampshire, Utah, London, and Germany.

Kate attended Lafayette Elementary School, Alice Deal Middle School, Woodrow Wilson High School, Emerson Preparatory High School, all in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia Community College. She loved the ballet and the theater, history, horseback riding, and occasionally soccer. Kate was employed by Quinn’s Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Virginia, where she had a loving community of friends and colleagues.

She leaves behind her beloved sister and brother, Alice Yuchen Wagner Billings and James Clinton Billings III; her parents, Mary Louise Wagner and Kevin W. Billings; and her uncle, John E. Wagner, Jr. and his fiancé Rebecca Roper. She is mourned also by her beloved animals, Morgann, Oddie, Rubis, MeiMei, Connie, Simon, and Hattie, as well as many other dear and rescued members of the four-legged community.

Kate was pre deceased by her beloved papa, John E. Wagner, her well-loved Sphynx cat Pluto, her birth twin sister in China, and a few other small or rescued animals, most notably Gigi and Turbo.

Kate’s mission on this earth was short and temporary - to enrich the lives of those she encountered, those she loved, and those who loved her. She stayed around as long as she possibly could, she taught us many things, including the value of empathy and kindness, and she changed us all for the good.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Capitol Hill, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 3 pm. 301 A Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003