Norwich, Vermont

Kathleen "Kathy" (Clark) Hoyt, who was a dedicated and widely respected public servant, and who served as an inspiration and mentor to generations of women in Vermont state government, died peacefully at her home in Norwich on March 7, 2025.

Kathy was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC, on June 6, 1942, and grew up in Rich Square, NC, which is "neither rich nor square", as she liked to say. She faced and overcame many difficult obstacles in her life and career and was known for her resiliency and positive outlook on life. She was equally well liked and respected by people on both sides of the political aisle and was able to do great things behind the scenes to guide the success of two governors, in order to make Vermont a better place to live and to work.

She grew up working in her stepfather's store, and saw firsthand the injustice of the racially segregated South, and this helped motivate her to make positive change in the world. She was valedictorian of her High School class, and earned her degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and then pursued graduate work in sociology at UNC, Chapel Hill. But she was forced to withdraw from the program before finishing her thesis when her scholarship was not renewed, because, as the Dean told her, the school had found a worthy male candidate and that she was just going to "become a housewife anyway." This was just one of the many career obstacles she had to overcome in pursuit of her dreams.

Her dedication to helping people and to advancing civil rights led her to work for the North Carolina Fund, a group dedicated to eradicating poverty and promoting civil rights. This led to several tense moments in 1960's North Carolina, including the scary time she was followed home by the Ku Klux Klan.

Kathy eventually moved to Vermont in 1968 after driving through it on her way to see the 1967 World's Fair in Montreal. She described Vermont as the "most magical place" she had ever seen, and immediately began what was ultimately a thirty-year career in Vermont state government.

She met her future husband, Norrie, while working together on a proposal by the Nixon administration to create a "negative income tax", of all things. They soon became friends and were married in the Vermont State House on January 26, 1974.

Over the course of her career, Kathy worked as the Director of Planning for the Agency of Human Services, for the VT Office of Equal Opportunity, and as a member of the VT Commission on Women. After leaving state government for several years to raise her sons Mike and Chris, she returned to government work at the Department of Employment and Training, eventually becoming Commissioner. She was then tapped to be Chief of Staff and Secretary for Civil and Military Affairs under Governor Madeline Kunin. When Howard Dean became Governor after the death of Richard Snelling, Kathy led his transition team and again became Chief of Staff. In 1998, Kathy became the first woman to serve as Secretary of Administration, the most powerful administrative post in Vermont.

During this time, Kathy worked behind the scenes with the Governor to help guide good policy, deal with the inevitable emergencies that would arise, and help bring together people from both sides of the aisle due to her unique ability to connect and get along with everybody. Because of her outstanding skills and abilities, and contributions to Vermont, Kathy received national recognition in 1998 by earning the Distinguished Service to State Government Award from the National Governor's Association.

After retiring in 2002, she continued to stay busy, serving on the Boards of Mascoma Bank, Green Mountain Power, Vermont Public Radio, The Vermont Community Foundation, and others. She was also a Trustee of The University of Vermont and served as an economic advisor to Governors Douglas and Shumlin. Finding a last opportunity to serve, she was appointed by Governor Shumlin to fill the vacant Norwich legislative seat in 2014.

Upon learning of her death, Governor Howard Dean stated that Kathy was "the most extraordinary public servant I have ever known, and that includes a couple of presidents. She had the most level head, the best judgment, and most acute sense of decency of any of the huge number of people I have worked with in my public life at any level. She was always the North Star in any tough political matter I ever had to deal with as governor."

On a personal level, Kathy loved Rock and Roll music and loved to sing and she once was in a jug band with James Taylor and his siblings before he got famous. She loved to cook and was an exceptional one, and never met a mystery book she didn't like to read. She loved rooting for the Red Sox. Kathy was warm and compassionate, with a wonderful laugh that she shared constantly. She loved playing card games and just having a great time with her family. She served as primary caregiver to her husband during his final years, as well, once again juggling a hundred tasks with ease.

Her dedication to serving people and to equality was inspiring. She was a barrier breaker with nearly unlimited reserves of courage and heart. She was truly one of a kind.

Kathy was predeceased by her husband Norrie and by her brother William Taylor, and is survived by her sister Mary Jenkins of North Carolina, and by her son Michael and his wife Natalie of West Hartford, VT, and her son Christopher of Middletown Springs, VT, who also served as her primary caregiver in her final years.

A celebration of her life will be held this summer, likely in early June or July.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Vermont Women's Fund, www.vermontwomensfund.org.

The world is a better place for having had Kathy in it, and she will be fondly remembered and forever missed.

The Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover, NH is assisting the family