Kitty (Kathryn Luft) Angus 

Kitty Angus, beloved mother, teacher, and advocate of the arts, passed away suddenly on January 4th. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Born on June 27, 1936, on a farm in La Salle, Michigan, Kitty brought light and creativity into the lives of those around her. Her remarkable journey and passion for education and artistic expression touched the lives of many.

Kitty was the fifth child of Carl and Mildred Luft, growing up alongside her siblings Glenn, Mary, Jean, Ray, and Allen. Kitty was affectionately called "Kit" by her family. She later adopted the name "Kitty" during her college years.

Her early education took place in The Sharkey School, a one-room schoolhouse situated at the end of her family's farm. A tornado destroyed the school (with her in it) while she was in 6th grade, prompting her to continue her studies at St. John's parish school for 7th and 8th grades. She later attended St. Mary's Academy in Monroe on a scholarship, graduating with honours in 1954.

Kitty's passion for the arts led her to Michigan State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art in 1958, with minors in Philosophy and Psychology. She furthered her studies at Ohio State University, earning a post-graduate certification in Art Education. It was during this time that she met her future husband, David Angus, who would become a professor of education at the University of Michigan. Together, they began their family in Columbus, Ohio, welcoming their children Amy and Stephen. They then moved to Amherst, Massachusetts adding Jonathan to the clan, before moving to Ann Arbor, where Sara was born.

The family eventually settled in Loch Alpine. In 1972, they embarked on a transformative journey to Edinburgh, Scotland, where the family immersed themselves in European culture, exploring museums, cathedrals, and historical sites. These experiences fostered in Kitty and her children a love for diverse cultural experiences that would shape their lives.

Kitty's dedication to education was influenced by the many teachers and a love of learning in her family of origin, including her grandmother, Emma Nadeau Luft. She was particularly inspired by Mrs. Marianne Davidson, her former teacher at The Sharkey School, and Mrs. Davidson's daughter, a fashion illustrator in New York City. In her forties, Kitty began tutoring and discovered her passion for teaching, leading to a fulfilling career with the Dexter School system. Starting as the head of the gifted and talented program at the elementary school, she continued her own education, earning K-12 certification at the University of Michigan and later achieving Masters +60 certifications as a Gifted and Reading consultant at Eastern Michigan University. Kitty went on to teach various subjects at Dexter High School, including art, British literature, mythology, advanced composition, and mass media. Her eccentric energy and infectious enthusiasm ignited curiosity and confidence in her students, encouraging them to explore their artistic talents both inside and outside the classroom. She retired in 2003 but continued to substitute teach well into her seventies, maintaining close friendships with her fellow teachers from Dexter - the Birthday Club - until the end.

During her teaching career, Kitty's summers were filled with travel, leading student groups on explorations across Europe, USSR, and Australia. These experiences allowed her to share her love for diverse cultures and art while inspiring students to embrace new perspectives. One memorable encounter was meeting the Dalai Lama in Graz, Austria, an experience that deeply touched her and influenced her spiritual journey until her passing.

Art was the essence of Kitty's life, permeating every aspect of her environment, particularly her home, which served as her canvas. Her innate and cultivated sense of aesthetics and "eye" for balance, proportion, color and beauty influenced her children and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Kitty loved clothing. She had a talent for sewing and possessed a keen fashion and design sense, which led her to volunteer at various organizations such as the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, Ten Thousand Villages, the Waterloo Heritage Farm Museum Flower Barn, and the Dexter Community Theater. She had a deep love for music, particularly classical, and enjoyed volunteering as an usher at Hill Auditorium. With sincere concern for climate change, Kitty hoped to witness a collective awakening before her time on Earth ended.

Kitty was preceded in death by her father, Carl, mother, Mildred, sister, Jean, and brothers, Ray, Allen, and Glenn. She is survived by her sister, Marianne, her children Amy, Steve, Jon, and Sara, and her grandchildren David, Emma, and Fionn. Her cherished feline companions, Molly and Darcy, and many others were a source of joy throughout her life.

Kitty Angus will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to education in her community, her infectious love for the arts, endearing curiosity and loquaciousness, and her profound impact on those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and the creative spirit she nurtured.

A celebration of Kitty Angus's life - a Bon Voyage- will be held on June 24, at the home of her daughter Amy, at 6549 Fleming Creek Road, Ann Arbor, from 6:30pm until 9:30. Please join the family and friends in honoring her extraordinary legacy. RSVP to stephen.angus@icloud.com.