Katharine Van Vechten Myersof Hanover, NH, died on Sunday, August 10, 2014 surrounded by her family.

Kathy was born in 1922 in Little Falls, New York to Frederick R. and Margaret Ives Van Vechten. She spent her childhood in Rye, NY where she attended the Rye Country Day School and then Miss Porter's School (Farmington, CT). While working at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in the early 1940's she met and married W.P. Laird Myers who was in medical school at the time. They remained devoted to each other until Laird's death just 3 months shy of their 65th wedding anniversary.

Kathy and Laird lived in several places along the East coast during the early years of their marriage while Laird completed his time in the Navy during the war and then completed his internship, residency and fellowship. They eventually settled back in Kathy's hometown of Rye where they raised their four children, Laird Jr., Anne (Missy), Duncan and Sara. They retired in 1986 to their home in Norwich.

Kathy had a lifelong appreciation of and involvement in horticulture, various needle arts, reading, interior design, animals and people. She was a prolific correspondent and keeper of journals creating countless letters nearly daily to family and friends and filling journals with her observations and thoughts on the world around her. Her horticultural interests and abilities led to her creation of stunning gardens. Her interest in and concern for people led to her involvement in many organizations, volunteering her time wherever she lived, such as hospital Twig groups, Sunday school, PTA, scouts, the Julia Richmond High School in Manhattan and, once she moved to the Upper Valley, the Haven and the Hostel. She was also active in the Norwich Garden Club, Women's Group and Book Group.

Kathy was an avid reader, usually having several books and magazines going at once. She was an early riser and loved nothing better than watching the sunrise from her hilltop retreat in Norwich with a dog or two and sometimes a cat by her side. There was rarely a time in her life that she was without at least one dog.

Kathy was pre-deceased by her eldest child, Laird Jr., her husband, her brother and her sister. Her legacy will be carried on by her children Anne Evans and husband Eric of Hanover, Duncan Myers and wife Michele of Topanga, CA, Sara Gormley and husband John of Norwich and daughter-in-law Eileen King of Santa Monica, CA; five grandchildren, Ryan Evans and wife Tina, Katie Saemann and husband Andy, Drew Evans, and Colin and Anne Gormley; and four great-grandchildren, Ava and Claire Saemann and Liam and Brenton Evans.

The family will host a gathering in celebration of her life on Saturday, August 16th at the Greens at Hanover, 53 Lyme Rd., Hanover, NH from 3:00 to 5:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathy's memory may be made to the Upper Valley Haven in Wilder, VT, the Hartford Historical Society, Hartford, VT for the restoration of the Jericho Community School House or Vermont Public Television.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.