Bassett Family Association Database

Kathryn (Kay) Bassett

Female 1912 - 1986  (73 years)


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  • Name Kathryn (Kay) Bassett 
    Born 19 Sep 1912  Swarthmore, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Female 
    _UID 0AD66C7EA5FEC243A5CF5F8612677F27EA58 
    Died Jan 1986  Springfield, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Notes 
    • The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, 23 Jan 1986
      Kathryn "Kay" Bassett, 73, Swarthmore Alumni Head
      Kathryn "Kay" Bassett, 73, longtime director of Swarthmore College's alumni and fund offices, died Tuesday at Metropolitan Hospital in Springfield, Pa. She was born and lived all of her life in the borough of Swarthmore. Miss Bassett, regarded by thousands of Swarthmore alumni as "Miss Swarthmore College," devoted herself to the college. She joined the Swarthmore staff in 1937 as secretary to faculty members in the chemistry department. In 1943 she transferred to the alumni office as an assistant to the executive secretary. In 1953 she became director of the alumni and fund offices - a job she held until she officially retired in 1975. After her retirement, she continued to work at the college part-time as assistant editor of the alumni magazine. It was while working in her office at the college Dec. 31 that she was stricken with cardiac arrest, college officials said. "Her high standards, her sense of the college, her encyclopedic knowledge of its alumni and her devotion to it, and them, were inspiring," said Swarthmore's president, David Fraser. At her retirement dinner in 1975, Edward Cratsley, then the college's vice president, noted that "many alumni think of Kay as the college". She was a member of the Swarthmore Class of 1935, and 18 other members of her immediate family were Swarthmore College alumni. She was active in community activities. She was a member and former trustee of the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, a member of the annual Swarthmore Christmas Pageant Committee and a member of the Rolling Green Golf Club. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, the American Red Cross and the Friends of Swarthmore Public Library. For many years she had also been an active member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, a professional organization. Survivors include her sister, Elizabeth; a brother, E. Morris; a niece, nephews, and aunt and great-nephew. A graveside service will be held at Memorial Park in Frazer at the convenience of the family.

      Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography, Volume XXV
      Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc. 1945
      Bassett, Edward Morris - Business Leader
      ......Edward M. Bassett married, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1910, Ellie Lesley Simons, daughter of Frederick Myerle and Marian (Lesley) Simons. They became the parents of three children, two daughters and a son: 1. Kathryn, born September 19, 1912, studied at the Agnes Irwin School, Philadelphia, where she was graduated in 1931, and had a year at Allegheny College and a year at Swarthmore College, after which she took a secretarial course at the Peirce School, in Philadelphia; later she became secretary at the Land Title & Trust Company of Philadelphia, in the New Business Department, and at the time of writing she is secretary to the alumni executive secretary of Swarthmore College, at Swarthmore. 2. Elizabeth, born April 19, 1914, attended the Agnes Irwin School, and after graduation there in 1932, had a year at Adelphi College, Garden City, Long Island, New York; she is the captain, at the time of writing, of the Media Regional Motor Corps of the American Red Cross. 3. Edward Morris, Jr., born February 15, 1922, graduated from George School, Newtown, Pennsylvania; and attended Swarthmore College until February, 1943.......

      Soon to Celebrate Seventy-five Years as
      Member of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church
      Elizabeth Bassett is daughter of landowner who gave original grounds for church
      Elizabeth Bassett is the third generation of five that have been active members of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church (SPC). She was confirmed at SPC in April 1928, and 74 years later is still a devoted attendee and member of SPC's Women's Association. She lived in Swarthmore in the same house in which she was born for more than 70 years until recently moving to Whitehorse Village. Holding the church dear to her heart, Elizabeth states, "Swarthmore Presbyterian Church is my home".
      Frederick M. Simons, Elizabeth's grandfather, gave the original land on which the church was built in 1895. He was one of 24 charter members and ultimately became an elder. Her parents were also members and had three children whom are all active participants at the church today. Elizabeth's siblings, Edward M. Bassett Jr. and Kathryn Bassett were both trustees. Elizabeth's nephew, William D. Bassett, is a present member of the Memorial & Gifts Committee, and his wife Adele is a member of the Worship Committee. Elizabeth's grandnephew, Graham W. Bassett, is the fifth generation of Bassetts to attend SPC. He is a senior at the Shipley School and is active in the church's summer work program.
      Elizabeth notes that gradual increase in membership and the active involvement of younger generations as some of the most notable changes of SPC since she first attended. Many renovations have taken place throughout the years as well, including the new fellowship hall and kitchen, Tyson Courtyard, McQuade Library, and McCahan Hall. The continuing value and genuine quality of the ministry today is one of the many key incentives that persuades Elizabeth to make the 25-minute journey to church every Sunday. Throughout her involvement at SPC, she has made many friends, and more than 38 SPC members live in her retirement community.
      Elizabeth's bright and warm personality continues to bring smiles to SPC congregants. The church has been an immensely positive influence in her life, much in part due to the perpetual quality of the services, ministry, and membership. Elizabeth fondly states, "I will be 89 years old in April 2003 and hope to celebrate (the Lord willing!) my 75 years as a member!"
    Person ID I2161  4B William Bassett of Lynn, Massachusetts
    Last Modified 6 Jul 2012 

    Father Edward Morris Bassett, Sr.,   b. 13 Mar 1883, Salem, New Jersey Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Aug 1941, Swarthmore, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 58 years) 
    Mother Ellie Lesley Simons 
    Married 22 Oct 1910  Swarthmore, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F554  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S9] SSDI.