Obituary
Kathryn Pittman Huey
September 21, 1955 – January 29, 2019
Kathy’s husband Marvin Huey, her family and friends, are heartbroken by the loss of our dear Diva. Her brief struggle with cancer was marked by her trademark mix of strength, gracious southern manners and sly sense of humour. All of our lives will be darker without her larger than life presence, her laughter, her song, her lucky sparkling Seminoles shirts, and her boundless love. We strongly suspect she called St. Peter “Baby” and complimented his outfit on her way through the Pearly Gates.
A life-long Seminole fan, Kathy was born in Tallahassee on September 21, 1955. She attended FSU and lived and worked there until her telecom career brought her to Kansas City to work for Sprint in 1994. She most recently served as Customer Support Lead at MSTS.
Her avocation and calling, however, was as a singer. She shared her considerable talents in churches, concert halls and jazz clubs, small and large. She was a section leader, frequently featured soloist and substitute conductor for many organizations. An incomplete list includes: Festival Singers; Music Sacra; Colonial Church in Prairie Village; Country Club Christian Church; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; and the Scamps. Her love of music spanned from Alice Cooper to Wagner, a range only out-spanned by the number and diversity of her friends. To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her.
She was an advocate for equality and justice, always thrilled to share the meaning of her safety pin tattoo. (Kathy’s only tattoo that might be visible to a judge.)
She and her husband Marvin enjoyed searching out Arts and Crafts furniture and collectibles for their home, touring the city in their vintage motorcycle and sidecar, a good meal and a good martini.
Survivors include her husband Marvin Huey of the home, her sisters and their husbands, Sara and Jeff Pace of Atlanta, GA, Sheila and Larry Wolfe of Tallahassee, FL. Her nieces, nephews and their families, Angela and Larry Wolfe, Jr., Randy and Michael Hopkins, Spencer and Kristi Wolfe, Carrie and Cory Sellers, Ron Adams, Jr., four great nieces and five great nephews. Her survivors also include a host of well-loved friends and chosen family members, including Betty and Charlie Burry.
Services will be held on Monday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. at Colonial Church in Prairie Village, 7039 Mission Road. Reception at the church to follow, celebratory drinks at Carmen’s in Brookside, (upstairs) from 3 to 5 p.m. Tiaras optional.
Kathy asked that memorial contributions be directed to Festival Singers (www.festivalsingers.org) or Kansas City Community Gardens (www.kccg.org).
As she said for her loved ones who went before her: May she rest in power.
Marvin, you & Kathy were such a beautiful & wonderful couple! I know how much you’re heart is breaking without the love of your life by your side. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Brian & I are here for you night & day, just call we’ll be there! I loved Kathy & miss her so much!
I am so sorry for your loss! I use to work with Kathy at Sprint and she was always a joy. Great mentor and her and I shared Birthdays!! She was a wonderful woman! My thoughts and prayers go out to her husband and family but she is up in heaven singing away for sure!
I would love to write something as beautiful as this obit, such a wonderful description of a woman who was a mother and confidant when mine was AWOL. She made me realize that life is a grand adventure and to carpe diem. I am guessing she did more than compliment St. Peter, lol, but we won’t go there. If someone will send me an email address, I may be able to find some older photos of her in my files. Thanks for loving her and being there for her.
I am so sorry for your loss. I sang alto with her in Musica Sacra. It won’t be the same without her. She was my comedic relief, and a compassionate friend. I just loved her.
What a bright light has gone from our world, but Heaven has gained a shining star! Her memory will never fade and and her song will be eternal! God bless all of those who loved her. May the peace that passes all understanding, through Christ, envelope us all. Rest In Peace, Diva, Rest In Peace!
So sorry for your loss. Kathy was a dear friend of mine since we first met at Florida State. I will miss here horribly and only wish I could be there for the service. She was a great lady.
A very bright light has gone here on Earth but the one in Heaven must be amazing! I have never read a more fitting and eloquent tribute as this one. GOD SPEED my friend Rest in peace.
Kathy was my church choir director several years back. She was a delightful, charismatic, kind, fun, and talented lady. Kathy was also a Southern belle and hearing her talk always reminded me of my own Southern roots…her friendship was a comfort to me! I loved her Diva-ness and know she will be remembered and loved always. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. She will forever be missed.
May she rest in power – how fitting. Kathryn and I were co-workers and she was a bright light with a bright smile and a powerfully kind person. She did everything “all in” and never failed to amuse while still upholding both of our “blue beliefs”. We wore safety pins for some time, but Kath took her commitment further by tattooing her safety pin – she was a true fighter for what is right.
Kathryn is missed here on earth, but no doubt a warm and happy crowd surrounds her now in Heaven.
I am going to miss you So much, Kathryn. I was so lucky to have met you and worked with you at MSTS. I am going to miss our time spend at Ruchi’s enjoying some delicious Indian food.
Valene Leblanc
I knew Kathy from Rickards High School. We were in Chorus together. I really got to her though through Facebook when she found out I was volunteering at Woodmont Assisted Living Center where her mother lived. She asked me to look in on her and that was the beginning of a very special friendship that I had with Ms. Agnes and Kathy. Kathy blessed many with her wit and wisdom and music. I will miss her!
Kathy crossed my path for the first time in 1972 at FSU summer music camp. We knew each other through college and beyond through East Hill Baptist Church in Tallahassee. Even though we had only recently reconnected in the last year or two on Facebook, I enjoyed seeing her posts and remembering all of the wonderful things about her upon which so many have consistently remarked. I think the fact that for decades our life paths had not crossed again, but yet I can feel so moved by the memory of her, and the passing of her from our earthly existence speaks volumes of her impact on those fortunate to have known her, no matter for how long or little or anything in between. Well done, Kathy! Well done.
Hello Mr. Huey – Kathryn and I were coworkers and I enjoyed working on several projects with her. She always had a great sense of humor and her positive attitude was an example to all. We would also have encouraging discussions surrounding scriptures.
One of the ones that we often discussed was about comfort found in 2 Corinthians 1:3,4.
She held a strong conviction in her beliefs and that was very admirable. May God supply you with comfort during this most difficult time. My condolences to you and the family.
What a force of nature Kathryn was! Her smile brightened all of us. Always a nice comment to make and a bigger than life attitude that inspired all around her. Her passion for music and her love for Mervin were always the anchor of her life. What an inspiration to all of us to enjoy life and savor it in the way she did. She will be greatly missed but her spirit and her smile will forever stay with all of us who were lucky to cross her path.
I knew Kathy back in the 70’s in Tallahassee Fl. Met her one night at a talent show where I played music myself. She sang some jazz…scat stuff too. She was an extremely talented jazz singer and I imagine she was just as good at whatever she sang. I remember her high spirits, fun to talk to and be around.
My condolences to her husband and family.
And sadly I also read today of her sisters death in Tallahassee. y condolences to her family as well.
Don Stock
TAllahassee, Fl.