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MADISON - Catherine “Kitty” Harn (Birkett) Grant, 70, of Madison, WI, passed away on May 29, 2026, after a brave 18-month battle with esophageal cancer. She was born on May 26, 1956, to Jean and Bill Birkett, in Richland Center, WI, where she grew up.

She had an idyllic childhood, playing in the woods behind her house, enjoying many friends, and excelling in school from the start. After graduating from Richland Center High School in 1974, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned her BA (1978) and MS (1981) in Education. She began her teaching career in the Watertown Unified School District, WI, where she taught fifth grade and then high school as a reading specialist from 1978 - 1989. She was selected for the Krista McAuliffe Fellowship Prize for courage and excellence in Education in 1987.

In 1989, Kitty moved to Janesville to accept the position of principal of Adams Elementary School, where she served for 22 years until her retirement in 2011. There she met her husband, attorney Richard Grant, and they married on August 3, 1991, at Trinity Episcopal Church. She served on the board and as president of the Rock County YWCA and supported Friends of U-Rock. Among many awards and recognitions, she was named Principal of the Year twice, in 1999 and in 2009; she was also awarded Co-Administrator of the Year in 2009.

Kitty spread light, compassion and inspiration in her family life, as well as her professional life. She loved time with her children, her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and students. She shared her love of reading and favorite books with everyone. She and Rich enjoyed 35 years of marriage, vacationing at their Northwoods lake home, Grantshaven, throughout the years, and after retirement in Madison, where they enjoyed walking to sports, theater, and concerts together. They also enjoyed travel internationally, seeing and exploring over 15 countries, their last cruise being to Norway in 2024.

Kitty is best described as a loving supporter of people and causes, especially women’s rights and education. There is no situation she did not try to improve, develop, or enhance. She was greatly respected and loved by all she touched, and she will be incredibly missed.

She was the beloved wife of Richard Grant, Madison, WI; cherished daughter of Jean Birkett, Richland Center, WI; loving mother to Tenaya Grant (James Krajeck), Stoughton, WI, Cara Grant Mangriotis (Eric), Chicago, IL; and Tahan Grant, Stoughton, WI; precious sister of Ellen Birkett Lindeen (Richard), Barrington, IL, and Ward Birkett (Brian Harrison), Pompano Beach, FL; treasured Aunt Kitty and another mom to her godson, Eric Lindeen, Chicago, IL, Jess Hyland (William), St. Paul, MN, and her namesake Catherine “Katie” Lindeen Williams (Michael), Cary, IL; beloved Gigi to Pricilla Ray Grant, Stoughton, WI, Enzo Grant Mangriotis, Chicago, IL; and Henry and Grace Krajeck, Orfordville, WI; special Great Aunt Kitty to Hannah Williams, Cary, IL; fond sister-in-law of Mary Grant Tlachac and Nancy and Don Conger; Dear Aunt Kitty to Maria (Jeff) Van Asten, and Great Aunt Kitty to Curtis Van Asten (Jessie), Erin Ebben (Brian), and her godson Riley Grant Van Asten; and highly esteemed and deeply respected educator by all.

She was preceded in death by her father, William “Bill” Birkett in 2002; her brother-in-law, Ron Grant in 1994; and brother-in-law, Norbert Tlachac in 2026.

An Episcopal funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with a luncheon reception immediately following. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. The burial will be private.

Memorials may be made to Road Home: Dane County, 890 W. Wingra Drive, Madison, WI 53715 (trhome.org).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Katherine Harn Grant

May 26, 1956 - May 29, 2026

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