Katrine "Kay" White Marshall

Kay was born on November 30,1936 in Greensboro, NC, the oldest of 3 siblings. While attending Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, she was a member of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (an international music fraternity), a national winner of the Collegiate Class in the National Piano Auditions, voted Most Popular her senior year, and was President of the Phi Society. She graduated in 1958 with a degree in Applied Music (Piano) and Music Theory, with a minor in Education.

Kay accepted her first teaching position in Virginia Beach, VA, where she taught music theory and instrumentation to grades K-7. During her first week there, a blind date with a handsome young Marine Officer stationed at Norfolk, VA changed her life. After a short courtship of 9 months, Kay and John married in May of 1959, enjoying 62 years together with 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

For the first 3 years of their marriage, Kay and John lived in New Haven, Connecticut, where John attended Yale Law School, and Kay worked in the Yale Graduate School Registrar’s Office and taught music at an elementary school. After moving to Atlanta in 1962 with John and a toddler in tow, Kay worked as an Associate Director for Fund Development for Emory Law School. She helped raise several million dollars, created an Alumni Board of Directors and produced an Emory Law School magazine. Kay and John went on to have 3 more children over the next 3 years.

Always active with a variety of interests, Kay was an avid tennis player for 30 years, and joined about every club or discussion group she could think of, whether it be music, books, history, or bridge. With warmth and genuine kindness towards others, Kay often gave of her time, serving at her church of 28 years (Trinity Presbyterian) as a member of the Pastor’s Aid Committee, and at Canterbury Court (her home since 2021) as a hospitality liaison for new residents and a member of the Choristers. Kay treasured time spent with her friends and enjoyed photography, sports, genealogy, cooking, and travel.

Kay’s greatest joy centered around time with her husband, children/spouses, and grandchildren. Growing up spending summers at Long Beach, NC, Kay passed on her love for the beach by taking annual trips with her family to Hilton Head for over 25 years. Other special family gatherings included individual trips with her adult children, one on one weekend visits with her 11 grandchildren, birthday celebrations, and Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to those who cared for Kay with deep compassion and kindness during her illness. They include Mattie Young, her faithful housekeeper and friend, who has been with the family for almost 15 years, as well as Kay’s caregivers, Isadorah Malval, Sharon Britto and Priscilla Colquit, all of whom loved her dearly.

Kay is survived by her children and spouses, Allison Dredge (Tom), Rebecca Seibert (Craig), Paul Marshall, Mary Anne Severino (Roger), and her 11 grandchildren: Morgan, Julie, Jennifer Stevens; Kristen, Ben Seibert; Griffin, Reagan, Ashley Marshall; Stephen (Rachel), Kelly Horne (Branson), and Jake Severino. In addition, siblings Helen (John) Davis, Bill (Becky) White, and Rebecca White.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 2:00PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, followed by a reception in Williams Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, or the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Attn: Development, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.