Katherine P. Pyle

Katherine "Katie" P. Pyle, 97, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Brewster Place. She was born September 13, 1916 in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of Hon. John G. and Kate McVey Park. Katherine graduated from Paseo High School, Kansas City Junior College and the University of Kentucky in 1937 with a BA Degree in Art and Fashion Design.

She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority at UK. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she taught boys' Sunday School Class and sang in the choir for over 50 years. Katherine was the founder of the Kansans for the Improvement of Nursing Homes (KINH), the Silver Hair Legislature, President of Kansas State Medical Auxiliary, Shawnee County Medical Auxiliary and the Stormont-Vail Medical Auxiliary. She was a member of Chapter AJ of PEO, Minerva Club, Topeka Symphony League, Topeka Community Concert Association and the Topeka Country Club. Katherine served on the Board of Directors of the Topeka Symphony. She was a life-time member of the Republican Party.

Katherine married Dr. Oliver Gilliland in 1940. He preceded her in death in 1948. She married Dr. Lucien Pyle in 1956. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her son, Oliver Holmes Gilliland and her step-daughter, Frances Wakeman.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday at Mount Hope Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Katherine will lie in state from noon until 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Memorial contributions may given to First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison St., Topeka, KS 66612 or to the Topeka Symphony Endowment Fund c/o the Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 SW 29th St., Ste. 300, Topeka, KS 66614.