Kathryn Senne

Kathryn Elizabeth Senne passed away on August 8, 2026 at Hospice of Dayton from complications of surgery. Born on March 23, 1946 in Kalamazoo, MI to Lyle and Ruth Arink Senne, she was the third of their four daughters.

She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1964 and the University of Michigan in 1967.

After a year at the U of M Law School, she moved to Washington, DC to work in the US Dept. of Commerce, then went on to work for Wyeth Laboratories.

Inspired by President John Kennedy, she became a dedicated volunteer and worked on many campaigns. She was a talented figure skater and a member of US Figure Skating.

She lived in Delaware for many years and moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend the Philadelphia College of the Arts. There, she studied fiber arts, creating beautiful clothing and fabric projects, graduating in 1987 as an art therapist.

She later moved to Petoskey, MI, to care for her mother and stepfather. In 2025, she moved to Dayton, OH to be near two nieces and her eldest sister, Carol Waszkiewicz. While she enjoyed having family close by in Dayton, she always missed Petoskey and Lake Michigan.

Kitty, as she was known to family and friends, was the favorite “cool aunt” to eight nieces and nephews. She played the best current music, took her nieces shopping in New York City and drove a red VW Beetle named Rojas Bebesco (Red Baby). She was especially close to Carol’s five daughters, Suzy Hardin, Betsy Bennett, Margaret Sampson, Stacy Ross and Angie Waszkiewicz.

She was a strong, independent role model who faced her many challenges with grit and determination.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Elinor Cooper and Laura Senne, as well as her beloved cats, Fred and Ginger. She is survived by her sister, Carol, her eight nieces and nephews and their families.

Services are private. 

Donations in her name can be made to the Traverse Bay Humane Society.