Katherine "Kay" (Henk) Smit , VRHS Class of 1948
Katherine Smit, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, left for the next life on June 10. A prolific artist, Katherine continued to paint through the final weeks of her life. She is well known for her beautiful pastel portraits and vibrant watercolors. Born in Albany, New York, she grew up in Rensselaer with her older siblings, Edmund and Mary Pat, with whom she was very close. Katherine's life changed dramatically at age seven, when her father passed away. Katherine's mother, Kathrine Kelly Henk, raised three children through the Great Depression as a first-grade teacher. Katherine graduated near the top of her high school class and attended Pratt Art Institute in New York City, majoring in fashion and design and home economics. She worked at Eastman Kodak before returning to Rensselaer, where she met her husband Neil on a blind date playing bridge. They lived in New York State, Connecticut and Massachusetts, raising five children. Katherine and Neil enjoyed a 65-year-long marriage filled with love and adventure, including running a construction business and a farm, snow skiing, sailing, tennis, and golf. They were often seen racing their Flying Scot in Duxbury Bay or enjoying the beautiful beach,"Grannie's Beach" and flats at their Standish Shore home. Nearly 50-year residents of Duxbury, Katherine and Neil were active members of the Duxbury Yacht Club. Katherine affiliated with and taught at numerous art associations on the Cape, Boston and the South Shore, including Duxbury Art Association, for which she served on the board for many years. Katherine will be remembered by many for her homemade bread and apple pies, which she shared generously. They were true works of art. She is survived by her children Kate Smit, Neil (Barbara) Smit, Juliana (Jim) Linsdell, and Carl (Jacquelyn) Smit, as well as her grandchildren Travis (Jody)and Gretchen Deane, Willem and Kaess Smit, Elizabeth and Melissa Linsdell, Olivia, Charlie and Jamie Smit, and great-granddaughter Peyton Deane. The family offers thanks and gratitude to the wonderful Staff at Newfield House in Plymouth. A celebration of life may be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Duxbury Art Association in Katherine's name.