Katharine "Kim" Gordon Randolph

died peacefully Tuesday, March 1, 2005, in her "home" at Braeburn Villas in Madison, Wis., with her daughter by her side and under the loving and watchful care of the Braeburn staff and HospiceCare.

Kim was born in Chappaqua, N.Y., Dec. 24, 1908, the only daughter of Margaret Ransom and Fred P. Gordon. As a 1930 graduate of Vassar College with a degree in Euthenics, Kim ventured forth to a life-long commitment to providing children with the best of all possible lives. She married Bob Randolph in 1934 and moved to Denver, Colo., in 1940 where she taught at Graland Country Day School from 1944 to 1951. While raising a family in Denver, Bob and Kim spent most weekends swimming, hiking, skiing or playing tennis with their own children and their friends in tow.

Kim pursued advanced studies at the Universities of Denver and Colorado and in 1951 she became Professor of Child Development & Psychology and Nursery School Education at Colorado Women's College in Denver. In 1966, she was appointed Regional Training Director for Project Head Start in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. Much of her work took place on Indian reservations, where she developed a love not only for the families with whom she worked, but also for the land on which they lived.

After retirement Bob and Kim spent most of their time traveling the Southwest, finally settling in Green Valley, where Kim continued her active and nurturing life, swimming daily and becoming a very involved volunteer for Friends In Deed.

She was delighted when she was honored as Green Valley's "1980 Woman of the Year" for her work as an "angel of mercy" for those in need of special help.

After her husband's death in 1993, and with Alzheimer's disease beginning its destructive nip on her mind, Kim moved to Madison, Wis. to live with her daughter. She loved the Arboretum, Olbrich Gardens, and her days spent at St. Mary's Adult Day Care. Her last six years were spent at Braeburn Villas.

Kim is survived by her daughter Susan Clapp (James) of Reedsburg, Wis., and son Ted (Cherokee) Randolph of Tesuque, N.M. She will be lovingly remembered by her five grandchildren, Cherokee and Stephanie Randolph, and Lee, Len and Don Clapp; seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Dick Randolph and family; nephews Jack (Ronnie) Gordon and James (Anne) Gordon.

At her request there will be no memorial service. Instead she asked that her friends and family love one another and reach out to hug a child--any child--in remembrance.

Wishing to continue to give of herself even after death, she has donated her body to the U.W. School of Medicine. For those of you who would like to do more than hug a child, contributions may be given to Braeburn Court, 2875 Fish Hatchery Rd., Madison, WI 53713, or a Hospice of your choice.

Grandma was an amazing and accomplished lady who could make you feel loved and cherished even while sternly scolding you.