Kathy was a dear family friend  as we grew up together in Minot.  I spent a lot of time at the Moe home on Cortland Drive.  So many wonderful memories throughout the years.


Kathy is so celebrated by her family.  It's been two years since she  has passed. It is such a joy to have had her with us as long as possible.
Marilyn Moe Fiedler Kathy's sister

Blessings to the family of Kathy Moe....
I was a 1968 classmate of Kathy's at Wilson and remember her infectious smile and positive attitude so vividly.  
Please accept my sincere condolences on her passing.  What an incredible legacy she leaves for her dedicated contribution to educating and encouraging her students and teachers.
Warmest regards,
Pam Reiche Betz
 

I really got to know Kathy at our class reunion in 2014, but lost touch with her after that. I wished I had gotten to know her better. I had my own set of struggles for 3 years. 

Your kindness and care for us will always be  in our heart.

I will always cherish Kathy's life.  I met her years ago before my retirement at EMU in 2004.  We remained close friends during our  work with Student Teachers at EMU.
Kathy was one of the most sincere, kind and giving people that I know.  She truly appreciated diversity as evidenced by her commitment to All of her Student Teachers.
She will be truly missed.  Her Life is a testament for all that is fair and and just.  
My love, prayers and support go out to Kathy's  Family.
Most Sincerely,
 Nora Martin Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus EMU

I first met Kathy during a party she and James had thrown for Youkeun.  There were more than 20 people and it had been less than two weeks since I had arrived in Ann Arbor from Iran, my first time away from home; I was 23. By the end of the party, she knew how to properly pronounce my name, where I came from, how many siblings I have, and which city in Iran my parent lived. She then welcomed me to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan and gave me the warmest hug goodbye.

For the next ten years,  I was always welcome to Kathy and James' home. Whether it was another party in honor of any of the achievements from James' students, or to write a paper with James, or on several occasions, to ask her how to be a better teacher as a graduate student instructor. No matter what the reason, she always met me with a big smile, made sure that I was fed,  that she had asked me about my girlfriend, sister and parents, and then she hugged me tightly and wished me goodbye.

I will never forget her love, empathy, and sheer curiosity and attention that she had to spare for everyone around her, and I know I am a better person because I knew Kathy and James.

Love and Hugs,
Payam

Dear James and Family,
It was such an honor to get to know Kathy and your family in the past few months.  It was so wonderful to witness the tremendous love between Kathy and James, and their family.   I pray the many great memories from the years will warm your heart and help ease the sharp pain of grief.
With love,
Jennifer Meddings  

I recall a memory of my brother James sheepishly explaining that he was building a small version of a covered wagon for  'a friend' who needed to teach her class about early American history, so he did not have time to visit us that weekend.
And so it was that Kathy  joined our Miller family  making a lasting  impact on each of us.  Her searchingly warm eyes, her gift of persuasion, her instant charm, her intellect, her numerous talents, her memory for names, her ability to keep in touch, her reaching out to all she met, her many interests and commitments.  All of these parts and more  we shall miss greatly.
For the children, her glorious recipes including mini marsh mallow rice crispies won them hopelessly over- they would do anything she told them to after that!
Above all, the consistent open house both she and James offered us siblings, all our children in turn as they visited, often needing  help and guidance.  I am eternally grateful for this, as I know others are.
Kathy's was a life well lived and she leaves a memorable legacy and a loving example to us. 
Sarah and John

Dear James,

It came as a shock to our family when we hear about Kathy's demise, I am leaving this message to express our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Kathy was like our mother in our out-of-town life at Ann Arbor. Her warm heart that I felt at your home BRL gatherings still didn't cool off from me and my wife.

At this hour of difficulty, I request you to please accept my sincere condolence and please pass the same to your family. She was truly a gem of a person and we all are going to miss her.

With sincere sympathy,
Jinyong

Dear James,

We are so sorry for your loss. Jeonghwa and I are so sad about her passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. We will remember her warm eyes and smiles on her face. 

Warmest wishes to you and your family. 

Youkeun, Jeonghwa, Claire & Grace from Korea


Kathy's warm and caring spirit will remain in our hearts and inspire us as we move through our own lives. Deeply interested and involved in the lives of others, she was wise and wonderful, and will be greatly missed.
Please accept our condolences and be comforted in the knowledge that her example has inspired all who knew her to be kinder and more giving.
The Augustyn family

Dear James, Ian, Lindsay and Mark, Aidan and Gemma,
It was with a very heavy heart we received the sad news about Kathy's passing! Please accept our sincere condolences.
Kathy was one of the warmest, caring persons we have known. Her sweet, infectious smile was even visible in her eyes. Our family, incl Andi, Stephan and Isabelle, are fondly remembering the times when we got together for Christmas and Easter. Kathy loved to cook the most delicious meals. She always took such personal, genuine interest in each of us, and our lives. Both Christian and I are so grateful that we could finally reconnect and meet Kathy a couple of times in New York, most recently on October 5, 2019, for a lovely dinner, all 4 of us. We will forever miss Kathy!
Our deepest sympathy,
Catharina and Christian Stohler

James,  we are saddened by the news of Kathy's passing.  We are hoping that you are finding comfort now that she is at peace.  Warmest wishes to you and your family, Pamela Moalli and Steven Abramowitch

The Norsk Hostfest just won't be the same absent Kathy's enthusiastic gait among venues, booths, and a throng of jovial Scandinavian folk enjoying food, music, art, and the company of one another.
I'm blessed to have met Kathy and her family. She continues to inspire me even more in her passing. 
Hugs to her sweet family.

So sorry to hear about Kathy’s passing.  My condolences to James, Lindsey, and Ian.  Kathy and I developed  a relationship during the years that she assigned student teachers to by classroom.  One of my favorite memories was the two of us traveling by train to present a workshop on student reaching best practices.
God Bless,
Joyce 

Dear professor James, Ian, Lindsay, Mark and grandchildren,
We are so sorry for your loss.
We met Kathy only few times, through our daughter Mariana, but we felt right away that Kathy was a special woman.
Mariana always talked a lot about her, what Kathy did to her, things they did together. She was a great support and friend for Mariana. Which makes us feel very grateful.
We wish you the strenght to bear this loss. Kathy leaves in us many good memories. 
Mário and Anja  -  Portugal

Kathy's visionary community leadership helped to  start the Neutral Zone,  a safe, space for so many youth to grow, create and be a part of a community.   There are so many young people that she has and will continue to impact well into the future.  She truly lived a life that mattered.   

I met Kathy through her husband James during my years at the University of Michigan. When invited to their house, Kathy's welcoming and warm nature created the most wonderful atmosphere, making everyone feel at ease. Stress and worries were quickly forgotten and new perspectives gained. She may not have been an official co-supervisor to us PhD students, but without a doubt she was part of the team. Kathy has touched so many lives and her kindness will live on through those who had the privilege to know her.
- Sibylle, UK      

Dear James, all family and friends,

Please, accept my condolences.
We are living in a complicated time, but we all hope to overcome them.

kind regards,
Renato

Professor,
Both you and Kathy have shaped the two key aspects of my professional life: research and teaching. I will be forever grateful to the both of you for your guidance, as well as for the extremely-unlikely connection between us of Minot, North Dakota. I can surely speak for my parents as well as myself in stating that you both have become parts of our family, and we are all so grateful our paths crossed. We miss her already.

Ms. Kathy was the first person who welcome us in the neighborhood and was always a loving “GMa” to our grandchildren. Her smile ,spirit to share, and quest to knowledge was amazing . Yes,  she was a great personality and more we read, more we are finding out of her amazing life story. We will certainly miss her physical presence . Reading about her on MLK day is so fitting . May God give rest to her soul and strength to her family and friends to bear the loss. She certainly touched so many souls and nurture & groomed the new teachers . 
Sincerely 
Pravin & Prabha

James,

I'm so sorry for your loss.  I hope you feel surrounded by much love during this very difficult time.

Warm regards,
Michelle Barnett

Dear James, We are very sorry for your loss. Please know we are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

The Hatch family is sending heartfelt condolences for your loss. Sending prayers, love and light to you and yours. Cathy will surely be missed. 

Dear James, Pete and I are so very sad about  Cathy’s long illness  and death. We were honored to get to know her and enter her beautiful orbit. She was such a dear heart and incredible person. The Buhr Family and just being a Burns Park parent, we met her and her lovely family. Our prayers are with you James and your family. With Our Deepest Sympathy              

Pete, Patty, Maggie, and Annie Fink

Dear James, and Kathey's beloved ones, 
Please accept my warmest condolences in this hour of indescribable sorrow, pain, and grief.  May her Memory live forever in your heart.  
Eleni Gourgou (ME Dept)

Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort.
Our deepest and sincere condolences.

Miki and Bogdan

Dear James, Ian, Lindsay, Mark, Gemma, Aidan, Sending all our love to you as we celebrate Kathy and all she is to you, and all you are to her and all she is to each of us. Wes, Owen, Jenni, Ryan and Marilyn

OBITUARY

Kathy Ashton-Miller

December 23, 1945 – January 15, 2021

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