Katherine Pierson 'Kitty' Crosby

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Crosby, Katherine "Kitty" Pierson 03/11/1940 to 08/02/2022 After 82 years of a life well lived, Kitty Crosby died peacefully at her home on August 2, 2022. Born March 11, 1940 to Catherine Piper Pierson and Charles Pierson, she grew up in Long Lake, MN. She graduated from Orono in 1958 and went onto Briarcliff and Northwestern where she graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1962. In 1964, she married David Crosby, her lifelong best friend and devoted husband of 58 years. She dedicated her life to horses, community, students and, most importantly, family. Kitty had a passion for riding horses and loved outdoor life on their Hamel farm. She would spend countless hours caring for her horses, throwing bales of hay, and riding trails through the countryside. She traveled with dear friends to fox hunt in England, Texas, Virginia, and Montana. Kitty was more comfortable, and felt closer to God, on a horse in the woods than in a church. Kitty was involved in the community, serving on the boards of the Orono Schools, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Children's Theatre, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum as well as participating in countless other community activities. Kitty loved the Arts, outdoors, and education and was committed to finding ways to connect her interests. Kitty absolutely loved teaching and her students. She taught for over 15 years in Winnetka, IL, Menlo Park, CA, her alma mater Orono, and Blake's Highcroft campus. In 1999 she retired, but continued to touch countless students as a substitute teacher. She was very patient and set excellent boundaries which endeared her students to her. Many students would continue to visit as they started their own families and would introduce their children, affectionately called Kitty's grand students. Kitty was devoted to her family, both immediate and extended. She loved to travel with the whole family and was an excellent guide. On several epic family adventures, TT, as she was known to her grandkids, would share her excitement for education and history by exploring fun, unique locations. Kitty took a special interest in each of her grandchildren and supported them on their path to adulthood. These discussions often started at Sunday night family dinners that she and David hosted which were filled with laughter, lively conversations, and good wine. Kitty's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, which was spent skiing in Alta, UT as a family. Kitty joins her Mother and Father, sister Margaret (Peggy) Pierson Cost, and brother Charles F. Pierson Jr. She was also preceded by her brothers-in-law, Thomas M. Crosby Jr. and Robert Mitchell. She is survived by her loving husband, David, sons Mike (Stacey) and Jim (Whitney) and daughter Kim (Buddy Snow), her grandchildren, Jackson, Charlie, Riley, Piper, Parker, Ruth, Carley, and Pierson, and countless in-laws and out-laws. The family and all of Kitty's friends will miss trying to keep up with her on her "relaxed" walks. We would also like to thank Kitty's home nurse, Lisa Schuette, and Dr. Julian Molina who, both, took such great care of her. Remembrances to Orono Foundation for Education and/or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Memorial Service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 12th St and Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 3pm or via livestream at westminstermpls.org. Due to COVID levels, masks are required in the sanctuary. Rettinger Funeral Home Long Lake-Orono 952-473-6954

Published on August 7, 2022