Katherine Bates Ruthenburg Street Olton
Katherine "Kitty" Olton, born on February 8, 1922, in Dayton, Ohio, died on Thursday, February 18, 2010, in Charlottesville, Virginia, surrounded by loving family members.
Kitty grew up in the Midwest, in Dayton, Moline, Illinois, Birmingham, Michigan, and lastly, Evansville, Indiana, as her father, Louis Chandler Ruthenburg, moved through a distinguished career ending with his service as Chairman of the Board of Servel Industries.
Kitty graduated from Science Hill School in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City before beginning her university education at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1939.
Kitty was always proud of her midwestern roots, but she was destined to be a Virginian. She first met her future husband, Abbot Prince Street, on the York River in Gloucester County where their families maintained summer homes. She married Abbot, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, on September 1, 1942, while he was serving in the United States Navy during World War II. During the war, Kitty and Abbot were posted to multiple locations including Beaufort, South Carolina, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 1947, they settled in Richmond, Virginia, with their two young sons and soon added two lovely daughters to their family. Sadly, Abbot died on November 1, 1958.
Notwithstanding four young children at home, Kitty determined to complete her undergraduate degree at the Westhampton College of the University of Richmond from which she graduated in 1963. In 1965, she moved her family to Charlottesville, continuing her studies at the University of Virginia. She received a Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching in 1968. Kitty had taught nursery school and elementary school in the Charlottesville area and she began her secondary teaching career that fall at Orange County High School. She also taught at Albemarle High School.
On December 28, 1969, Kitty married the second love of her life, the Reverend Robert M. Olton. This marriage lasted for 37 years until her beloved Bob passed away in 2006. In the early years of their marriage, Kitty and Bob collected ideas for building their dream house in the country. They were eventually able to fulfill this dream and happily lived in the home they built for the last quarter century of their lives.
In 1975, Kitty returned to school to study for her Masters in Library Science at the Catholic University of America, commuting with Bob to Washington, D.C., several times a week until she graduated in 1976. Her career took a new path as she became the librarian at the Blue Ridge School in Dyke, Virginia. She also taught English at Blue Ridge and became the head of the English Department, retiring in 1987. After leaving Blue Ridge School, Kitty worked the next eight years with the Friends of the Library at the University of Virginia.
Kitty and Bob enjoyed entertaining in their home and were loved by their family and a wide-ranging and dear group of friends. Kitty pursued many interests: books, gardening, piano, as well as classes at the University of Virginia, but her primary interest was in people. As she often said, "I have led a life of great fortune; two wonderful husbands, lots of children, grandchildren, and friends" and she had the great sense to appreciate it all. She loved greatly and lived a life of inestimable value and service. Kitty will be missed and memories of her will long be cherished by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Abbot Prince Street and the the Reverend Robert M. Olton; her parents, Louis and Katherine Ruthenburg; her brothers, Louis and James Ruthenburg; and her stepson, Dr. David S. Olton.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, David Prince Street and his wife, Michelle, Stephen Singleton Street and his wife, Clarissa, Katherine Street Nucci, Melinda Street Robbins and her husband, Robert; her stepchildren, Judith Mueller and Dr. Robert M. Olton Jr.; 12 grandchildren, Amanda and Abbot Street, Benjamin and Daniel Street, Ian and David Street and Erin Street Mateer, Matthew Nucci, Julia, Katherine, Caroline and Eli Robbins; step grandchildren, Liza and Miranda Mueller; plus numerous nieces and nephews.
She attended both St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Ivy, Virginia, and St. Paul's Memorial Church in Charlottesville.
A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church with the Reverend Kathleen Sturges officiating.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010, at St. Paul's Memorial Chapel.
Contributions in her memory may be made to St. John the Baptist Church in Ivy or to a charity of your choice.
Friends may send condolences to the family at
www.hillandwood.com.
