Katherine Emily Gannett

Katherine Gannett
WEST CORNWALL - Katherine Emily Gannett, "Katie," as she was known to all, passed away in the afternoon of November 17, 2022, in her home in West Cornwall.

Katie was born in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from De Pauw University in 1952 with a degree in Education and Counseling. She went on to earn her Masters' Degree from Columbia University in 1961.

Katie first worked as an Assistant Dean at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She joined the staff of Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1964, first as a Health and Physical Education teacher and then as a Guidance Counselor. At Housatonic, Katie counselled hundreds of students in her over twenty years in the Guidance Department and volunteered with many organizations and activities, such as the American Field Service (AFS) and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapters. Upon her retirement, Katie also served on the Cornwall and Region One School Boards, serving as Chair of each for at least one term.

Katie was devoted to Housatonic's AFS Chapter, which is the oldest continuously operating chapter in the United States. For over fifty years, she was dedicated to its mission of providing young people with intercultural experiences. Through this work, Katie ensured hundreds of exchange students were hosted with Northwest Corner families and that Housatonic students were hosted in countries around the world. She kept alumni together by hosting annual reunions, fundraisers, and other gatherings. Katie also volunteered regularly at the national AFS headquarters in New York City.

Another of Katie's great loves was the Future Farmer's Association Alumni Association. For thirty-four years, Katie served as secretary for the organization, uniting its members through annual gatherings and fundraisers. Katie herself maintained a legendary garden, which she shared with her friends and visitors. She and Michael Gannett, her late husband, generously provided an endless supply of flowers to Housatonic and other local organizations. In 2006, her garden was archived by the Smithsonian Institution.

Katie's passion for the outdoors and her commitment to nurturing young people included her work with the John Austen Cheley Foundation. Katie had worked as an assistant director and director at Cheley Camps in the 1950's. More recently, Katie served as a trustee of the Foundation from 1995-2003 and as a member of the Campership Committee for years following. Over the years of her involvement, Katie sponsored over 30 students to attend the Cheley Camps on scholarship. Many of her sponsored students went on to become counselors with the various Cheley Camps.

Katie also loved her dogs, including the dog who adopted her, L.D. and then four lovely Airdales, Daisy, Daisy II, Sarge and Dyna. Sarge and Dyna were adopted from New England Airedale Rescue. Katie hosted over fifty members of the Rescue family in her lovely garden in support of the organization's efforts.

For her over fifty years of outstanding service and dedication to the young people of Region One, Katie was honored in 2017 with the Community Award of Merit by the Regional School Board at the annual HVRHS graduation ceremony. In 2016, Katie was named Volunteer of the Year by the John Austen Cheley Foundation for her years of service and support of the Foundation and its campers.
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Katie lived a full, beautiful life, actively involved with her passions of nurturing young people, promoting global understanding through youth exchange, and cultivating the great outdoors and its future leaders through gardening at home and farming in NW Connecticut. She adored her husband, Michael Gannett, and together they hosted countless events, including weddings and fundraisers, in their lovely home and gardens. Her wit and strong personality were known to all and she was well-loved and cherished because of them.