Condolences — Katherine Crosby

Grinnell College has lost a friend with the passing of Katherine "Kitty" Pierson Crosby, the wife of retired trustee, David Crosby. Kitty died peacefully at her home on Aug. 2, 2022, at the age of 82.

Born March 11, 1940, to Catherine Piper Pierson and Charles Pierson, she grew up in Long Lake, Minnesota. She graduated from Orono in 1958 and went onto Briarcliff and Northwestern where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1962. In 1964, she married David, her lifelong best friend and devoted husband of 58 years. David, a managing director in the merchant banking group at Piper Sandler in Minneapolis, was a Grinnell College Trustee from 1971 to 1982.

Kitty dedicated her life to horses, community, students and, most importantly, family. She had a passion for riding horses and loved outdoor life. She 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 absolutely loved teaching and her students. She taught for over 15 years in Winnetka, Illinois, Menlo Park, California, her alma mater Orono, and Blake’s Highcroft campus. In 1999 she retired but continued to touch countless students as a substitute teacher.

Kitty was devoted to her family, both immediate and extended. She loved to travel with the whole family. She took a special interest in each of her grandchildren and supported them on their path to adulthood. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, which was spent skiing as a family.

Kitty 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.

An obituary and guest book for Kitty Crosby are available online.

Please keep Kitty, David, and their family and friends in your thoughts.