January 15, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Mrs. Kathryn Inez Verdery Cannon, an alumna whose extraordinary love for Columbia College and her enduring legacy of service touched countless lives.
A proud member of the Class of 1955, Kathryn lived a life of purpose, guided by a profound connection to the people and communities she cherished. In 2007, while accepting the Columbia College Alumnae Association Distinguished Service Award, Kathryn began with a question that perfectly encapsulates her spirit: “Who are your people?” For Kathryn, “her people” included her beloved family, her treasured classmates, her friends, and the broader Columbia College community she served so faithfully.
Born on a dairy farm in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Kathryn's journey took her from her early days of academic exploration to a lifetime of devoted service. Her Columbia College years were marked by close friendships, memorable adventures, and transformative experiences with professors who became lifelong inspirations. Her love for her alma mater extended far beyond graduation, as she dedicated countless hours to the Alumnae Association, served as its president from 1987 to 1989, and later contributed to the College as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2004. Today, Kathryn’s daughter, Nan Cannon LaFitte, dutifully serves on the Board of Trustees as the President of the Columbia College Alumni Association and has done so since 2023.
Kathryn leaves behind a legacy that will forever be a part of Columbia College. Her warmth, leadership, and unwavering support of the College remain an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Memorial information can be found at this link, and a service to honor her life is taking place today.
Let us hold Kathryn’s family and friends in our hearts during this time of loss. May we also honor her memory by reflecting on the question she asked so poignantly: “Who are your people?” And may we strive, as Kathryn did, to nurture and treasure them every day.