Catherine "Kitty" Ellen Belden

Catherine (Kitty) Ellen Belden was born on April 22, 1941 in Topeka, Kansas to Daniel Chester and Mary Patricia Belden, the sixth of seven children. She graduated from Holy Name Grade School and Hayden Catholic High School. Kitty attended Mount St. Scholastica (now Benedictine) College and graduated with a degree in Music. She taught Band and Music at Hayden until she moved to Oklahoma City. There she began a long and successful career working for Kemper Insurance. She was member of the Board of Trustees of Benedictine College, and from her connections there began to work for the Westermann Foundation distributing grants to mostly Catholic organizations around the country. In retirement, Kitty became a supporter for the Center of Family Love, which provides a community for those with intellectual disabilities. 

Kitty was a long-time member of St. Eugene’s Catholic Parish. She was a fierce and faithful Catholic. Kitty loved music and had a lovely singing voice, which she shared in many choirs. She also loved to travel and was able to take several trips to Europe. Kitty was an exceptional cook! Her pies were amazing! She loved playing golf, especially with her good friend Sue Sullivan. Kitty came from a family that was smart, successful, charming and an absolute joy to be around. We will always cherish the memories of our time spent with Kitty and her brothers. She was a beloved daughter, sister and aunt, never missing a chance to spend time with family. Kitty’s best friend Mary Kelley and her family ‘adopted’ Kitty when she moved to Oklahoma City. The Kelley’s have been Kitty’s second family ever since. 

Kitty was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and their spouses. She is survived by a host of nieces, nephews and good friends who will miss her deeply.