University Times

Long-time Provost's office employee Katherine A. Smith died Dec. 2, 2000, at her home in Wilkinsburg after a short battle with lung cancer. She was 62.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today, Dec. 7, at the Spriggs-Watson funeral home, 720 North Lang Ave., Point Breeze.

Smith came to Pitt in 1981 and served as executive assistant to three provosts: Donald M. Henderson, Mark A. Nordenberg and James V. Maher. She retired in February 1999.

Prior to her employment at Pitt, Smith worked for Crunn & Forester Insurance Company for 13 years.

Provost Maher said of Smith, "She served the University very diligently and very well during all her years with us. I will personally be forever grateful for all the work she did to help me to succeed in my position."

Chancellor Nordenberg said, "I had the pleasure of knowing Kay for 15 years and was privileged to work closely with her at different times during that extended period. She was a good person, a capable colleague and a committed member of the University community. Like her many other friends, I was deeply saddened by her death."

Adrian R. Massey, executive assistant to the provost, said, "Katherine was a strong woman who exhibited tremendous pride in herself and her work. Kay made sure that everything she did was done in a professional manner and she always paid strict attention to protocol. Working closely with her for these past few years she taught me a lot and she became a close friend and confidante. I will surely miss her."

Smith is survived by two sons, Anthony Smith and Shaun Evan Smith; a daughter Tamara LaVette Robinson; five grandchildren, Ceru, Phillip, Aaron, Shianna and Darryl; two brothers, Claybourne and Carl, and several nieces and nephews.