Photo courtesy of Adobe Creek Funeral Home - Petaluma
Petaluma, California
Jun 9, 1937 – Jul 26, 2022
Dr. Katherine “Kathie” Henderson - Beloved wife, sister, university professor and administrator, mother, grandmother and friend to so many, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 26, 2022.
Kathie was born on June 9, 1937 in Fall River, Massachusetts. She graduated from Connecticut College in 1959, and received her Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University in 1969.
Dr. Katherine Henderson taught for fourteen years at the College of New Rochelle in New York holding the positions as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Director of Women’s Studies. She then moved with her family to Marin County, California and assumed the position as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of English at Dominican University of California. Following her exceptional performance of eight years, Kathie and her husband Tracy returned to the East Coast when she accepted the prestigious position as President of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After nine years at Point Park University, Kathie once again returned to California when she accepted the job in 2007 as Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Dominican University of California. Kathie grew this small program into one of the most successful OLLI programs in the country. She retired as Director in December 2021.
Dr. Katherine Henderson, in addition to her more than fifty years of teaching and university management, published five books and numerous articles. She will always be remembered as a consummate professional, a feminist, a mentor to students, faculty and fellow administrators alike.
Kathie was preceded in death by her son, Matthew. Kathie is survived by her beloved husband and partner of 63 years, Tracy Henderson, her beloved sister and best friend Joan Nolan, her daughter Ellen, her son Geoffrey, her beloved grandson Andrew Henderson, her nieces, nephews, grand-niece and grand-nephews.
A private Celebration of Life will be held for the family and her close friends and colleagues.
The family requests that donations be made in honor of Dr. Katherine Henderson to the American Cancer Society.
Read MoreKathie was an absolutely wonderful person that I will remember always. I always felt honored to know her.
Tom Thomas
July 30, 2025 | Harrisburg, PA | Friend
Dr. Kathy Henderson was an absolutly wonderful person. She always made you feel special when you were talking with her. I always enjoyed being with her.
Tom Thomas
July 30, 2024 | Harrisburg, PA | Friend
I'm so sorry to learn of Kathie's passing. She was a dear friend of my Mom, Mickey, as well as a co-editor on their book A Voice of One's Own. I have fond memories of her from back when the family lived in Brooklyn Heights and throughout the years. Wishing my best to her loved ones.
Mia Pearlman
October 21, 2022 | Friend
I am so sorry about Kathie's passing, she was an inspiring, warm, and caring woman who played an intermittent but consistent role in my life, both as my mother's close friend, and as the mother of my close (lifelong) friend Geoff. She was also a friend to me. She was always fascinating to talk with and hear from, and she always, also, listened closely to what other people had to say. She is profoundly missed. My sympathies are with Tracy, Geoff, and Andrew, and all of her other family and...
Jessica Stone
August 14, 2022
I wish I could be at the memorial on August 12th. Please know you are all in my prayers. Kathie Henderson was a strong and courageous example of life lived well. It was always a blessing to visit with her. I share her enthusiasm for lifelong learning, and I am inspired by the accomplishments she achieved in teaching and in writing. It is a privilege to be called her nephew. She was a gracious and caring presence in all our times together. A special thank you to her and to Tracy for a...
Michael Nolan
August 11, 2022 | Family
My deepest sympathy goes out to Dr. Henderson's family. I had the honor of meeting and talking with her during her visit to Harrisburg, PA.
Tom Thomas
August 10, 2022
My deepest sympathies to Tracy and Kathie's family. I was privileged to be her colleague and friend at the College of New Rochelle, where she and I developed the institution's first Honors Program in 1974 and formed a bond of friendship that survived the years. I looked forward to her annual summer visit to the East Coast. I will miss her emails and warm concern for colleagues at CNR. She was an exemplary leader and teacher of rare honesty and integrity . May she rest in peace.
Ann Raia Colaneri
August 09, 2022 | School
Geoff, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I'll be thinking about you.... :). Your old roomie Kristen
Kristen
August 07, 2022 | Other
Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.
Adobe Creek Funeral Home
August 05, 2022 | Petaluma, CA
