The Granville school community was saddened to hear of Mrs. Cathy Kilby's passing on February 28th, 2025.
Mrs. Kilby was a beloved Math teacher for 17 years at Granville Jr/Sr High and returned as an invaluable substitute teacher, mentor and coach for another seven years.
In celebration of her life dedicated to education and inspiring students to do their best, the District invited teachers, staff and students to share a little bit about what they most appreciated about here.
In addition, the Spirit Club at the Jr/Sr High invited students and staff to wear PINK for Kilby Kindness Day on Friday, March 7th and we have shared a few pictures as well below.
The Main Office staff at the Jr/Sr High have also started a Cathy Kilby Graduation Award as well (details below).
Please enjoy just a few of the special words students and staff had to share.
From Left to Right: Mrs. Kilby, Mrs. Banta, Mrs. Vogel, and Ms. Whiting
Staff Tributes
Cathy’s contributions to our school community over the years are immeasurable. She was truly a credit to profession and a no nonsense approach to education. Over the years I truly came to value my conversations with her. - Superintendent Tom McGurl
Mrs. Kilby was a great colleague of many years. I shall miss her vibrancy and ceaseless enthusiasm for the Granville "family" - High School English Teacher, Jim Marsfelder
I knew Mrs Kilby for quite some time. We were co-lead scoring trainers for Math 8 teachers in the area about 25 years ago. We also coached in the same league for years where her tenacity made her teams better. I can vividly recall Mrs. Kilby's dedication to her discipline, her students, and to the Blue & Gold of Granville! - High School Math Teacher, Mr. Nelson
Mrs. Kilby acted always out of an innate generosity. She would give you her time, her expertise, even the shirt off of her back if you needed it. She didn't do it just because it made her feel good, she did it because you needed it and she saw that. It's the reason she drove over an hour to be here and stayed long after everyone else had left, and coached when no one else would, and worked with tough students, and rejected those who saw the cup as half empty. - 7th Grade English Teacher, Mrs. Ward
Icon: A person or thing that is widely admired, especially for having great influence or significance Legend: an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field. These two words keep coming to mind when I think of Cj Kilby. She was an incredible person, colleague, teacher, coach, and friend. Kilby touched the lives of everyone in her path and we are all better humans having known her. I hope that students and adults, alike, will fill their days with the love, spirit and kindness that Kilby showed on a daily basis. She would be grateful! - High School Special Education Teacher, Jessica Sheldon
Kathy was one of the most dedicated coaches I experienced through my modified sports day here at Granville. Kathy always found the positive in any situation and always believed in her athletes and her students. Even when I doubted myself, she supported me and was optimistic no matter what. Kathy helped me learn my love for sports at a very young age and had a part in the athlete I became later in my high school career. I will forever cherish my time with her as an athlete, but also as a co-worker. Her endless wisdom will always play a part in my success today. Because of Kathy Kilby, Granville is a better place. - Granville Jr/Sr High Crisis Counselor, Amy Baker
The Jr/Sr High was decorated today with Kilby Kindness Day Messages from Students. Students and staff also dressed in Pink for Mrs. Kilby.
Student Tributes
I met Mrs. Kilby for the first time as an 8th grade student during algebra class, and right off the bat I knew she was different from most teachers. Kilby cared about everyone that she met, and she was one of the only teachers that I've ever met that ever cared to know how I was doing every day. She was also one of the kindest and strongest women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my life, she was truly one of a kind. I will forever be changed knowing I will never see her again, and I know I will miss her forever. - Jack Best, 10th Grader
I had Mrs Kilby in the 2021 2022 school year for algebra. Her quotes,humor and energy brought me so much joy. I never really liked math and still don't but I loved Mrs Kilby. As a result I looked forward to my math period! That same year we got assigned different lunch destinations because of covid- 19 and I was so overjoyed when I realized I had Kilby. I am so thankful looking back that I had two periods with her in the day! Thank you Mrs Kilby for everything you helped me with! Never failing to make me laugh or smile every day! - Isaac Strout, 11th Grader
She was always energetic and positive while teaching, even during her battle with cancer. She also came in whenever she could, despite her battle! She was truly a role model. - Isobel Platt, 11th Grader
Mrs.Kilby always had a smile on her face and never hesitated to help someone. She was always the highlight of my day. - Hanna Carson, 12th Grade
Mrs. Kilby was fully dedicated to her students. She believed in every student, even, and especially, when they didn't believe in their own abilities. - Cydney Ruork, 12th Grader
Mrs. Kilby is the reason I always seek out the underdog and stand up for others. She always sticking up for others and believing in them when they didn't believe in themselves. - Matthew Pietryka, Granville CSD Graduate 2022
Mrs. Kilby was one of a kind, and she always put others first. She pushed me to do my best and to never give up and I’m truly so grateful and thankful for her and that she was in my life when she was. She always made sure that I kept going and kept a positive mindset and outlook on everything. I’m genuinely so happy that I got the time I did with her because she really did teach me so much and I can’t thank her enough for that. I’ll always love and miss her and, her kind, sweet, caring soul. - Fiona Graves, 11th Grader
Mrs.Kilby taught and positively influenced and impacted not only me but my parents and family as well. She was the first one to crack a joke, letting her bright smile shine through. If only she got to teach my siblings. - Annalynn McLaughlin, 9th Grader
I am not a Granville Student, and I am a Cambridge CSD student who is taking Marine Biology this year with Ms.Bunker through Granville High School.
I knew Cathy Kilby on a personal level, she was my math tutor in 9th grade because I was struggling in Algebra. Every Tuesday evening during 9th grade, we would work together on Algebra. She helped me out tremendously, I went ahead to pass the class, then score a 71 on the regents exam later in June of that year.
R.I.P to a fantastic woman, a great personality, and a fantastic supporter when you need it the most. Sending all of my prayers and condolences to the passing of Cathy and to her family. Thank you Cathy for all of your great support. - Jack McGowan, Cambridge CSD Student
A student Kilby Kindness Day Poster in the Jr/Sr High
Catharine J. Kilby Memorial Award
Ms. Vogel, Ms. Nichols and Ms. Nassivera have organized a new Memorial Graduation Award..
Two, $100 awards given to a senior boy and senior girl who are active in sports or extracurricular activities, are hard-workers, exhibit kindness and have an overall zest for life.
*We will be awarding 2 students each year (1 boy and 1 girl)
*All donated funds will be turned over to Elizabeth Viele, School Business Official in the District Office. We have a scholarship account at the bank, where we can earn interest. Liz would then cut the checks each year to the award winners.
*Anyone wishing to donate, can do so by cash or check (checks should be made out to Granville Central School - put Cathy Kilby Scholarship in the note section). Donations can be turned into me at the High School.
There is no deadline or time limit for this. And no donation is too small. Mrs. Kilby would be so proud! She never missed a graduation ceremony. - Heather Vogel, Secretary to the Principal, Granville Jr/Sr High
More Resources
Mrs. Kilby's Obituary
The Jr/Sr High Newsletter from Friday March 7th 2025 dedicated to Mrs. Kilby
The Facebook Video from Kilby Kindness Day at Granville Jr/Sr High
Thank you to staff and students who have expressed their condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
We will miss her!