KATHERINE KOLB

Dr. Kolb is hands down the most positive and influential person in my life to date. She could home into hidden talents and even faults and have them blossom into astonishing achievements. She was my French professor but more like the mom I needed. She was truly great. I moved to France in 2007 with my daughter, my B.A in French, and 4 suitcases. But in one of those suitcases was an old French Larousse dictionary she gave me for graduation. She said something like "It's for the girl who hated...

I am a second cousin who met Kathy late in life. The Kolb family business is scholarship, so I read one of Kathy's late essays on Berlioz and, at a layman's level, could engage and enjoy it. That is due entirely to Kathy's lucid and generous writing style that made esoteric facts and ideas accessible.

Kathy was a colleague, an enthusiast for Berlioz and everybody, and a friend and companion to everyone, no matter the distance or proximity. That she will be missed is an understatement. Olav ha-Shalom.

Vivian Ramalingam
St Paul, MN

I was Kathy and Basil's mailman and neighbor in Minneapolis for six years in the mid-80s. I left the post office in 1987 and moved away from Bryn Mawr, but I have never forgotten Kathy. I truly looked forward to seeing her, for all the reasons others have listed. Even in brief transactions at the door or on the sidewalk, her kindness and love were striking and made my day. I awakened this morning thinking about my old route, looked up a few of my favorite people, and discovered that Kathy had...

I will never forget Dr. Kolb. She was an amazing and encouraging French professor and was instrumental in my going to graduate school and to Belgium. She would be proud to know that I'm in the process of completing my dissertation for my Doctorate of Philosophy at Cornell. She made an indelible impact on my life.

-Marshall Smith

I will always remember Katherine's rare generosity of spirit, infinite kindness and deep compassion. May she rest in eternal peace. My deepest sympathy to Katherine's beloved family and wide circle of friends.

I am deeply saddened by this loss and send my sympathy to all her family. I have known Kathy for many years and enjoyed her company and our shared love of the work of Marcel Proust. She was a remarkable person and I am so honoured to have known her. My last memories of her are of her visit to London, UK, and our walks and conversation and of her signing her most recent book on Proust.
I hope I can keep in touch with her family.
Cynthia G

My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Jalil Ahari