Kitty Runyan died October 18, 2002 at her home in Portland from cancer. She was born March 5, 1930 in Albany, OR, to Richard A. and Lenore Murray Talbott and was raised on a farm there. She took over the work on the farm while her three brothers served in the army, navy and air force during World War II. She attended St. Mary's grade school and Albany High School. She graduated from Oregon State College in 1951 where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She took advanced education in medical technology at St. Joseph's hospital in Tacoma, WA. She moved to Portland in 1965. She worked as a medical technologist with Kaiser Permanente in Portland for 20 years before retiring in 1995.
In 1952 she married Floyd F. Runyan. They had six children. One son, Richard, died in 1980. She is survived by her husband, her brother, John A. Talbott of Portland, sons Michael of Peach Tree City, GA, Mark of Woodinville, WA, Ronald of Portland, daughters Meredith Ludwigsen and Marcia Maddock of Portland and twelve grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Claire's Catholic Church and served the parish as a teacher of religious education, as a Eucharistic minister and in other capacities. She was an active 50 year member of the PEO sisterhood and served as president of Chapter BX and of the Portland Council. Kitty was an enthusiastic airplane pilot, flying throughout the U.S with her husband and friends in their Cessna 172XP. She was a skilled sailor and 30-year member of the Willamette Sailing Club. An avid skier, she skied many areas throughout the U.S. and Europe.
American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)
P.E.O. sisterhood, a woman philanthropic educational organization of over 250,000 members, is dedicated to providing advanced educational opportunities for women. The PEO Sisterhood is the organization that owns and supports Cottey College. (www.peointernational.org). Payable to the PEO program for continuing education, or Oregon State Chapter PEO charitable trust. Mail contributions to Chapter BX state treasure Debbie Shandil, 9395 SW Buckskin Terrace. Beaverton, OR 97008.
Kaiser Hospice Care Program 2701 NW Vaughn St. Ste140, Portland, OR 97210-5398. Payable to Kaiser Permanente Hospice.