Kathryn "Kitty" Archer Wicai

Born Kathryn Louise Archer on September 28, 1943, in Nashville, Tennessee, where her father was training pilots bound for action in World War II, Kitty grew up in Bellaire, Ohio. There she was known throughout childhood as “Kitty Lou.” Music became a great love of her life early on, and she could still recall her very first sheet music for piano, “Suzy Snowflake.” A dedicated pianist, she later shared that love by teaching piano lessons from her home at her treasured grand piano that she had inherited from her great aunt. Over the years, that piano moved with her, all 800 pounds of it, from state to state. Kitty never travelled light.

Kitty attended Ohio University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English. She briefly taught high school English before focusing on raising her family. She later returned to public schools in an administrative role with the Penfield Central School District in Penfield, New York.

For years, students came and went through her home for piano lessons while the family dog slept beneath the piano, occasionally emitting such noxious gas that teacher and student fled the room laughing. But Kitty never shooed the dog away. That would have been too mean.

Kitty also had a habit of giving away belongings to anyone who admired them. Family members eventually learned to carefully edit compliments around her to avoid being sent home with whatever they had just admired, whether it was a sweater, a dish, or a piece of furniture.

Her kindness extended especially to animals, who were loved extravagantly and treated as full members of the family. At one time she had as many as five cats and one dog in her home on Clover Drive in Webster, NY; that is to say, she served as staff to five cats and a dog and was grateful to do so.

In recent years, as getting out to be with friends and taking care of pets became too challenging, Kitty was convinced to move to Maryland to live with her daughter and grandson. The agreement that sealed the deal was the promise that she and her grandson would get a dog together.

Kitty possessed a wonderful dry sense of humor that remained with her until the very end of her life. Just weeks before her passing, when the visiting hospice nurse admired that promised family dog and her daughter explained that Candy Corn was a “standard poodle,” Kitty opened one eye and replied, “Substandard.”

“You’ve still got it, Miss Kitty,” the hospice nurse laughed.

More than anything, Kitty loved her family deeply. She was devoted to her two children and especially cherished the close relationship she shared with her grandson Teddy, who brought tremendous joy and pride to her life. The move to Maryland meant she got to see Teddy grow up from a playful 10-year-old to a thoughtful nearly 17-year-old ready to apply to college. They enjoyed baking together, especially pies at Thanksgiving, and watching Star Wars movies. She always had a Teddy story to share and especially loved telling the one about 4-year-old Teddy in Batman costume dancing in the audience as the National Symphony Orchestra performed the Batman theme song at a concert for families. Imagine her joy: live symphony music and her grandson all at once.

Kitty will be remembered for her intelligence, humor, generosity, kindness, deep empathy, and the fierce love she gave so freely to the people and animals fortunate enough to be part of her life.

She is survived by her children, Hillary Archer and Neil Wicai (Robyn); her grandson, Teddy Viers; extended family members, dear friends, former piano students, and many spoiled pets whose lives were gentler because of her care.

A service celebrating Kitty’s life will be held in Rochester, New York. Details will be announced on this website.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages support for animal rescue organizations such as Lollypop Farm in Rochester in honor of Kitty and her unwavering love for our furry friends.