MAUDE KATZENBACH Obituary


  
MAUDE THOMAS KATZENBACH  
Passed away peacefully at home on August 12, 2013 at the age of 92. She was surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of Eldridge and Clara Thomas of Morristown, NJ. Devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and member of her church, she was a friend to all. She raised two sons and one daughter, but arguably she influenced hundreds of people through her work with children and her embracing manner. She worked with the Camp Fire Girls for twenty-five years and retired as the Executive Director of the Potomac Area Council. An active member of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC for over 50 years, she served the church in many different capacities including two terms as the senior warden. She is survived by two children, Tildy and Tom; five grandchildren, Allita, Andrea, Gabriel, Thomas, and Malcolm; and one great-grandchild, (Michael). Her eldest son Larry passed in 1997. A woman of great strength, wisdom, patience, and exceptional warmth, she welcomed everyone she met and treated each with love and respect. The funeral will be held at St. Margaret's, 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC on September 14 at 11 a.m. At her request please make contributions to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in lieu of flowers.

Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 18, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for MAUDE KATZENBACH

Not sure what to say?





Mrs. K was like a favorite aunt to me and I know she considered me part of her family, she told me so. I still have letters she wrote to me and re-read them often. I miss her gentle grace and wisdom. The sun dimmed when she died.

Matt Kehoe

August 13, 2020

A year now passed since dear Mrs. K passed away, I still think of her often and feel the warm glow of her friendship.

David Briscoe

September 14, 2014

My sympathies to the Katzenbach family. Mrs. K was a grand lady and one of the most gracious, warm, and dedicated people I've had the privilege of knowing.

April 24, 2014

February 14, 2014

Dear Katzenback Family,

Maude lives on in each girl and boy who was touched by the Potomac Area Council of Camp Fire Girls and later Camp Fire. She mentored us all as she dedicated her life to every aspect of the program. My parents, EmmaJo and Eldon Sweezy worked at Maude's side.

Memories of that time of my life are treasured. Maude and I laughed about my not being a camping convert. My only stay at Camp Mawavi was a cold rainy weekend made for mud baths not roasting marshmallows. She watched me grow up in the program from Blue Birds to leadership. She honored me by personally presenting me with the first Wo-He-Lo Medallion.

My mother died my freshman year in college and when the local Council of Camp Fire Girls discovered that I had earned the Medallion they needed my help and I, in turn, needed Maude. She didn't hesitate to hold my hand through my biggest challenge to date. One hundred and fifty girls needed to learn everything from the Blue Bird Wish, Camp Fire Law, Burn Fire Burn, how to make a torch and build a ceremonial fire. Oh, yes and how to camp. We laughed about that until we cried. I survived and went on to lead six groups and she was with me each step of the way.

Thank you, Maude for being there for me. You are a part of me.

Sharon Lynn Sweezy

February 14, 2014

I am sad to learn of this. I remember her so very well and wish (because of personal conditions) that I had had the confidence to keep in touch.

I went to a prep school that, with respect to debate team I captained, rivaled that of St. Paul's, which her son, Larry coached. When Larry fell upon hard times and illness, Mrs. Katzenbach welcomed me into her home many times. I respected her son as an adversary and developed a friendship with him. And I got to know Mrs. Katzenbach - who, at an impossible age (to me, at least) took her ill adult son back in and encouraged him to make the best of things - he ended up inspiring students for free as an adjunct (I suppose) teacher at Mt. Vernon College in DC. I came to know Mrs. Katzenbach a little bit through my visits to her son at the 48th Street house. Good heavens, did she have excellent taste in sherry!:)

Mrs. Katzenbach was kind enough to put me on the "list" of people to be contacted when her beloved son, Larry, was stricken with (I think) a stroke.

I went to his funeral at St. Margaret's in DC and was amazed at how Mrs. Katzenbach, like so many in her generation, was able to combine a sadness that must have been ripping away at her with both dignity and courtesy to the guests. She even asked me, knowing of my knowledge of the Episcopal liturgy, if she had done it right - yes, she and her family did one million times over!

May I please say that as someone who prefers traditional worship that she quietly told me once that she liked the old 1928 prayer book/Rite I/Anglian Missal traditional language for Episcopal worship, but understood that times had changed.

With warmest condolences to her living son, daughter, and grandchildren, may I please have the privilege to say:

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

And I wish all the very best to Mrs. Katzenbach's family and loved ones.

Best,
Ernesto J. Sanchez

December 5, 2013

"What lies behind you and what lies if front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
As with many others, I enjoyed many of Mrs. K's speeches over the years. Fond memories of her will always be in my heart.

Lois (Dern) Conn

September 15, 2013

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Like many others, I have many fond memories of Mrs. K. I will always keep those memories in my heart.

Lois (Dern) Conn

September 14, 2013

To Allita, Tildy, Tom and the rest of the family. From the time dear departed Larry took me to meet his mother on 48th street in 1966, she has had a warm place in our family's heart. Her great work with the Camp Fire Program, her faith, her devotion to family, eveb her love of the wonderful dogs who shared her home all make her a treasure to anyone who knew her. I've never had a long-distance friend who wrote back so quickly with such beautiful tales of family and such keen insight into life. Bless your memory and spirit always, Dear Friend.

David & Leonor Briscoe

September 5, 2013

Her family's generosity paved the way for my mother to come to the U.S. We are forever grateful.

Jojo Malones

September 2, 2013

I have so many fond memories of my time with Camp Fire Girls...Maude hired me to be a leadership coordinator in N.Va. at a critical moment in my life. Her guidance and wisdom made such a difference in the course of my life. I could never thank her enough.

Carolyn Gorman

August 28, 2013

I am just one of many many Camp Fire Girls that learned so much from Mrs. K's gentle ways.

Chrissy Barr Collier
Mawavi Camper/Counselor 1973-1981

August 25, 2013

The Kehoes have always considered Mrs. K as one of their own. The world was a better place with her in it. We miss her already.

The Kehoes

August 20, 2013

fond memories of mrs K I was one of the few campers who spent entire summers at mawavi instead of just a few weeks- when mawavi went to split weeks she made arrangements for me to spend the breaks with a couple counselors because I had no where to go- always caring I now run a town pool for boys and girls club her concern for me has guided me my whole life

carol erickson

August 19, 2013

Maude was a great advocate for camping, especially in the state of Maryland and District of Columbia. She will be missed.

Charles Butler

August 19, 2013

Mrs. K taught me so much about being a strong and independent woman when I was in Camp Fire, where I had the privilege of knowing her for many years as a young woman. I am deeply sorry to learn of her passing, but joyful that she lived such a long and fruitful life. My condolences to her family and friends. She will never be forgotten.

Susan Smoter

August 18, 2013

Mrs. K had many fine qualities and skills, but the one I most remember was her talent at making closing remarks at our Camp Mawavi council fires. I attended many of these ceremonies both as a camper and a counselor and nobody has ever matched her sincerity, warmth, love and gentle humor. She will forever be an elder that I hold dear.

Amy Francis

August 18, 2013

We all loved Mrs. K. The Mawavi family will truly miss her.

Nina Koch

August 18, 2013

There will be thousands of women who will take a moment to remember this woman who made such a difference in their lives. She was ahead of her time in the championing of women and girls and as a result, these same women are leaders in their own right. Her leadership lives on in the women that she touched. God speed.

Linda Prudente

August 18, 2013

Your name brings back pleasant memories of my time as a Campfire L&S chair in Rockville, MD. in the70's. Peace!!

Dorie Kelley

August 18, 2013

Tildy and family Maude was so influential in my life. She will be missed.
Mouse... Bryna Selig

August 18, 2013

Dear Katzenback Family,

I cannot tell you how very sad I was to hear about Maude's death. She as been a pillar of support to me as I worked to rebuild the Camp Fire Program her in the Metro Washington DC area and beyond. She guided me and gave me sage advise which I believe is responsible for our strength and our capacity to continue. Please let me know if there is anything you need for her memorial. WoHeLo--Rosemary Pezzuto CEO, Camp Fire Patuxent, [email protected]

Rosemary Pezzuto

August 18, 2013

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results

Make a Donation
in MAUDE KATZENBACH's name

Memorial Events
for MAUDE KATZENBACH

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support MAUDE's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor MAUDE KATZENBACH's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more