Katherine Kitchen

Katherine “Kay” Sanders Kitchen, 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Keswick, Virginia on Sunday, April 11, 2021 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, John Robert "Bob" Kitchen, daughters Leah B. Watson (Bari Gashi), Ann K. Watson, Lorrie Kitchen Nicholson (Steve) and son John S. Watson (Diane), six beloved grandchildren; Ian (Hillary) and Sean Watson, Will and Dan DeBord, Allie Nicholson Crider (Matthew) and Bobby Nicholson, and one great-grandson, Jacob Watson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law Bill DeBord and grandson Stevie DeBord.

Kay was born in Park Ridge, Illinois on October 1, 1927. She was the only child of Martha Springer Sanders and Arthur Lee Sanders. She attended Colorado College for 2 years and graduated from Stanford University in 1949 earning her degree in Psychology. She taught elementary school prior to starting a family. She and Bob raised their four children in Orinda and Walnut Creek, California and moved to central Virginia in 2001.

Kay lived her life with an open and generous spirit. She and Bob provided a warm, welcoming home for their extended family and long list of friends who became adopted family. She loved to say “love multiplies it doesn’t divide.”

Kay was adventurous and loved the water. She was a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado and on Catalina Island in California. She participated in water ballet at Stanford University and enjoyed water aerobics into her nineties.

Kay loved to walk with her dog and friends. She was an avid bridge player and participated in several Bible studies. Kay enthusiastically supported the endeavors of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed nothing more than to attend a grandchild’s sporting event or music concert.

Kay lived her life with an ever-present commitment to her family and friends. She will remain a source of wisdom and inspiration to those who knew her, especially her family. Kay will be remembered for her zest for life. As she often said “she didn’t want to miss anything.”

The family will gather to celebrate her long and full life April 21, 2021.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Kay’s love of dogs, donations may be made to:

Saint Francis Service Dogs – www.saintfrancisdogs.org

Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA – https://caspca.org/