Columbus, NC - Katherine Dorothy Koch Blunt, 96, of Tryon, NC, died Friday, September 21, 2007 at Ridge Rest, an Assisted Living Facility in Columbus, NC.Born in Cincinnati, Ohio June 25, 1911, she was the daughter of Rupert W. and Octavia Podesta Koch; they lived in Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan. Katherine graduated from the University of Michigan in 1932 Phi Beta Kappa with Honors in English. In 1934 she received her MA in English from the Univ. of Michigan. In 1957 she earned a teacher's credit from Wayne State Univ., Detroit, MI.Before moving to Tryon, NC in 1984, Katherine lived in Birmingham and Bloomfield Township, MI, where she was a member of Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills. She was a social worker at the Children's Aid Society, Detroit, and editor of The Detroit News, Women's Page. From 1957to1972, she was a teacher, department head and director of the Flex Program at Seaholm High School, Birmingham, MI. She was active in the PTA, League of Women Voters, AAUW, the Birmingham Village Players, and in local politics. While living in Tryon, NC Katherine was a Board member of the Lanier Library, the League of Women Voters, and the AAUW; she was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Thermal Belt Friendship Council, and Great Books. She was consultant to and an organizer on the Polk County Community Relations Council; a volunteer at Polk County Outreach Ministry Board, and a member of the Polk County Partnership for Children, and the Gov. Hunt's "Smart Start" program. Mrs. Blunt was a scholar of Virginia Woolf until her death and an accomplished amateur Chinese watercolor brush painter. When awarding her their Distinguished Service to the Community Award, the AAUW said she was "the conscience of the community," working quietly and efficiently behind the scenes.Katherine married Charles Nash Blunt at Woodfield Inn, Flat Rock, NC in 1937. Mr. Blunt died in 1988 in Tryon, NC. Surviving are her daughter, Sarah Blunt Barnett of Washington, DC, three grandchildren: Charles Blunt Barnett, married to Maureen Pao, of Washington, DC; John Henry Barnett of Brooklyn, NY; and, Dorsey Woodward Barnett Horowitz, married to Stephen Horowitz, of Pelham, NY; one grandchild, Olivia Horowitz; one nephew and two nieces. Her daughter, Penelope Anne Blunt, predeceased her in October 1997 in Los Angeles, CA.A Memorial service will be held October 20, 2007 at 1:00 pm in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Tryon, NC with the Reverend Dr. Michael Doty officiating. Burial will be held in Oakdale Cemetery, Hendersonville, NC following the Memorial service.The family suggests that memorial tributes may be made to the Katherine Blunt Memorial Fund, Thermal Belt Friendship Council c/o Virginia Perrenod, Treasurer, 251 Carolina Dr., 7C, Tryon NC 28782. Katherine supported the TBFC, which has promoted racial diversity and cooperation through social activity and community activities from its inception.
To
to the family, please