Katherine McGilvray Pitts

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Katherine Pitts

 Katherine Pitts passed away peacefully Sept. 13, 2013, in Newport Beach’s Hoag Hospital after a 48-day illness. She was 66.

Kathy was born in Pasadena, Calif., on Sept. 30, 1946, to Donald Alexander and Judith Bailey McGilvray. She was raised in Arcadia and attended Arcadia High School. Kathy was a ranked tennis player in high school and completed her education at the University of Colorado.

In 1968, Kathy married family friend Rod Pitts. Their 45-year marriage included travel, an extended group of family and friends, enjoying a family beach house, and working side-by-side at Laguna Beach’s Festival of Arts. Her greatest accomplishment was raising two sons, David and Scott.

Pitts went on to be successful in her business endeavors after raising the boys through high school. She was director of telecommunications for World Vision, with more than 300 employees reporting to her. When World Vision relocated to Seattle in 1995, taking son David along with them, Pitts retired. After 50 years living in Arcadia, she and Rod moved to Huntington Beach. In retirement, Pitts worked 15 years as an associate in the Festival’s exhibits and security department.

She is survived by husband Rod; sons David of Seattle, and Scott and wife Leonora Gershman of Eagle Rock; brother Donald A. McGilvray III and wife Lorna; sister Mary McGilvray; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Carole Metz; several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins; and two grandchildren.

Donations may be made to World Vision, c/o Kathy Pitts Memorial Fund, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063; or the Festival of Arts Scholarship Fund, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. A reception follows the service. Kilts and highland wear encouraged.

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