Teacher, art patron, traveler, philanthropist

Katherine “Kay” Koeth, a longtime Claremont resident, died on November 29, 2016, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 78.

She was born on February 10, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio to William and Marion Koeth, and moved to Claremont in 1956 to attend Pomona College. She graduated in 1960 and went on to pursue a career in education, teaching elementary school in the Upland Unified School District.

Ms. Koeth was a parishioner for 60 years at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. Later in life, she traveled the world with her mother and sister Mary—you name the place, she’d been there. Ms. Koeth loved painting and had exhibited her work in a few shows. She was a strong supporter of the performing arts as well, having held season tickets to the Candlelight Pavilion since the dinner theater’s opening and catching every play presented by the Inland Valley Repertory Theatre. She was a voracious reader, devouring books in every genre right up until the end of her life. Ms. Koeth was also a generous philanthropist, with education being a passionate cause.

Kay is survived by her sister Mary Koeth Shacklett, niece Star Shacklett and nephews Michael and Mitchell Shacklett. She also leaves one grand-nephew and six grand-nieces.

There will be a memorial mass on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, located at 435 Berkeley Ave. in Claremont. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Kay’s honor to Pomona College.

For information, visit community. pomona.edu/give_today.