Katherine Westmoreland Obituary

Katherine "Kitsy" Van Deusen Westmoreland Charleston - Katherine "Kitsy" Van Deusen Westmoreland passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 27 at the age of 94. The widow of the late General William Childs Westmoreland, she was for many years a resident of Charleston, a city both she and her late husband cherished, moving there upon his retirement in 1972. The daughter of Colonel Edwin R. Van Deusen and Kathryn Renalds, she lived as an Army brat moving from Ft. Sill to ROTC at Cornell and places in between. She married William Westmoreland upon his completion of exemplary WWII service in Patton's forces, in 1946. That began her career as a military wife. Her service, kindness and hospitality were legendary. She hosted everyone from West Point cadets to Presidents, and no matter who you were, Kitsy was warm, encouraging and truly interested. Always a sports fan, at West Point she attended matches of every sport, and was often spotted yelling encouragement from the stands. Kitsy worked for the Red Cross in the U.S. and most notably in Asia, where as a Gray Lady, along with her care-giving skills, she made countless flights accompanying wounded soldiers from Vietnam to hospitals in the Philippines. She is the recipient of the Red Cross' Harriman award. Being the wife of an on-the-move officer required many family moves. Kitsy learned to pack, unpack and be gracious to one and all along the way. She made 37 moves during her married life, always carrying family touchstones and favorite things to make each place a home for her family. Her last posting as an army wife was at Fort Myer, where the family reunited and settled into the Commandant's quarters as General Westmoreland assumed his last command, Chief of Staff of the Army. Upon their move to Charleston, Kitsy became involved in education and the arts. She was on the Board of Directors of Converse College, The Gibbes Museum of Art, and the Spoleto Festival. For her work in South Carolina, she was awarded The Order of the Palmetto. Kitsy loved to travel and entertain. She visited China, Vietnam, Russia, Morocco and much of the EU in retirement. Kitsy is survived by her children: Katherine Stevens (Peter Spadone), James Ripley (Susan Sarao) and Margaret Childs; grandchildren: W.T. Weymouth (Kerry), William Westmoreland Richards, Miles Stevens Spadone (Abby), Katherine Richards Westmoreland, Molly Kite Spadone, and Lucio Van Deusen Westmoreland; great-grandchildren: Finnley Cartwright Weymouth, Owen Childs Weymouth, and Ollis Spraugh Spadone; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial celebration will be held at Bishop Gadsden Residence. She will be interred at West Point alongside her husband. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston