Kathryn Ann “Kathy” Larkin
June 16th, 1945 - October 29th, 2023
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Kathy's Obituary
Kathryn Ann Larkin (Westin) passed away on October 29, 2023, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her older brothers, James Clinton Westin of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Andrew Clark Westin of Mundelein, Illinois. She is survived by her husband, John Stephen “Steve” Larkin of Alexandria, Virginia; her son, Peter Anthony McConnell Larkin (Nina Burke Thompson) and granddaughter, Sophia Barbara Larkin of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and her daughter, Jessica Stiles Larkin (Austin John Hill) of Washington, DC.
Kathy, as she was known by all, was born to Anthony “Tony” Westin and Evelyn Clark Westin on June 16, 1945, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. In the fifth grade—unbeknownst to either of them at the time—she met Steve, her future husband with whom she would create a joyous life. Kathy graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1963. She went on to receive her BA from Purdue University in 1967, followed by an MA in Education from Michigan State University in 1968.
A handful of years later, Kathy and Steve reconnected and were married on December 24, 1975. Shortly after, they relocated to Washington, DC, and began their most meaningful journey—building a family of their own. They adopted their son, Peter, in 1983, and completed their family two years later with the adoption of their daughter, Jessica. Family meant everything to Kathy. She was delighted to expand her “core team,” officially welcoming Nina to the family on September 12, 2015, and Austin on October 21, 2017. She was happiest when she was with her husband and all her kids (her ducks, as she would say), whether watching the sunset by the beach in Michigan or piled on the couch together at home.
A lifelong teacher, Kathy taught in school systems in Ohio, California, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia, finishing her career at Belle View Elementary School, the same school her two children attended. Kathy’s love of education extended far beyond the school system. She lived her life with the same commitment to learning and growing, imparting her wisdom on (and practicing patience with) her children. Kathy was also continually working on herself, taking up new activities like water aerobics, knitting and even learning to golf with Steve. She carried herself with grace and dignity, and met life’s challenges with compassion and kindness. Where others may have folded, Kathy charged forward, taking the lessons in stride, looking for the opportunities, and finding the goodness.
Those near to Kathy know she was a perfect balance of strength, independence, and above all, a fierce and unconditional love for the wonderful family and friends who filled her life with purpose. We will miss her dearly, but she has left an indelible mark on everyone whose life she touched, and she would take pride in knowing that we all carry a piece of her with us.
A celebration of Kathy’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in Alexandria, VA. The family will hold a graveside committal service at 10am, Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, to lay her to rest in the place she held close to her heart.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to one of the organizations Kathy dedicated her time and energy to: The Twig, The Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital https://www.thetwig.org/support-us/donate/ or Aldersgate United Women in Faith https://onrealm.org/Aldersgate/-/form/give/now .
Kathy, as she was known by all, was born to Anthony “Tony” Westin and Evelyn Clark Westin on June 16, 1945, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. In the fifth grade—unbeknownst to either of them at the time—she met Steve, her future husband with whom she would create a joyous life. Kathy graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1963. She went on to receive her BA from Purdue University in 1967, followed by an MA in Education from Michigan State University in 1968.
A handful of years later, Kathy and Steve reconnected and were married on December 24, 1975. Shortly after, they relocated to Washington, DC, and began their most meaningful journey—building a family of their own. They adopted their son, Peter, in 1983, and completed their family two years later with the adoption of their daughter, Jessica. Family meant everything to Kathy. She was delighted to expand her “core team,” officially welcoming Nina to the family on September 12, 2015, and Austin on October 21, 2017. She was happiest when she was with her husband and all her kids (her ducks, as she would say), whether watching the sunset by the beach in Michigan or piled on the couch together at home.
A lifelong teacher, Kathy taught in school systems in Ohio, California, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia, finishing her career at Belle View Elementary School, the same school her two children attended. Kathy’s love of education extended far beyond the school system. She lived her life with the same commitment to learning and growing, imparting her wisdom on (and practicing patience with) her children. Kathy was also continually working on herself, taking up new activities like water aerobics, knitting and even learning to golf with Steve. She carried herself with grace and dignity, and met life’s challenges with compassion and kindness. Where others may have folded, Kathy charged forward, taking the lessons in stride, looking for the opportunities, and finding the goodness.
Those near to Kathy know she was a perfect balance of strength, independence, and above all, a fierce and unconditional love for the wonderful family and friends who filled her life with purpose. We will miss her dearly, but she has left an indelible mark on everyone whose life she touched, and she would take pride in knowing that we all carry a piece of her with us.
A celebration of Kathy’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in Alexandria, VA. The family will hold a graveside committal service at 10am, Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, to lay her to rest in the place she held close to her heart.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to one of the organizations Kathy dedicated her time and energy to: The Twig, The Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital https://www.thetwig.org/support-us/donate/ or Aldersgate United Women in Faith https://onrealm.org/Aldersgate/-/form/give/now .
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