Katherine "Kitty" Malone Austin, 93, died on March 15, 2016 in Roanoke, Virginia. She loved her hometown, its people and places, and the mountains that embrace the city she cherished. No matter what difficulties or challenges she faced, she would often say, "God gave us a great day in the beautiful Roanoke Valley!" Kitty was born June 18, 1922 to Thomas Johnson Malone, Sr and Blanche Hickman Malone and lived most of her life in Roanoke. After graduating from Jefferson High School and National Business College, Kitty worked briefly for the college before beginning her long career in the Civil Service, culminating in nearly thirty years of service with the Social Security Administration. She was immensely proud of her work and her colleagues at Social Security, especially the years spent implementing Medicare as well as assisting people in filing for their retirement benefits, helping seniors secure their health and their fu ture. Outside of the office, she gladly took time to answer people's questions about Social Security and loved to help them understand their benefits.





Early in her married life, Kitty made the difficult decision to raise her son by herself, an uncertain task in the early 1960s. While initially worried over whether she had made the right decision, she soon found peace and joy in her life as a single mom, raising her son, Chip, with the energy, love, and commitment of three parents. While caring for her elderly mother and working long hours at Social Security, Kitty blessed Chip's life with a great education; a love of music, books, and learning; and the skills he would need to succeed in life. She often said that the proudest day of her life was the day she saw Chip successfully enrolled at the College of William and Mary, and she continued to support him throughout her life with a fierce love and a devoted heart.





Kitty's devotion to her family and her work spilled over into the rest of her life - a life of generosity and caring for others. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues at work were blessed by Kitty's infectious smile, gentle grace, and the countless small acts of kindness she quietly shared. Over the years, she wrote hundreds of notes to encourage people and thank them for the ways they had blessed her life and others. She strived to see the good in others, but also spoke up when she saw another person wronged or hurt. During her busy career and especially in her retirement years, Kitty shared her gifts, her energy, and her commitment to others in the church and congregation she loved, Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke. If there were a job to do, a mailing to get out, a meal to prepare, a sick person to visit, a child to care for, Kitty would always be there to help. She loved Christ Church, and the pastors and congregation re turned that love. Even in her later years at Brandon Oaks, when her strength and mobility had waned, Kitty still greeted staff, neighbors, and visitors with a warm smile, genuine affection, and a listening ear. Throughout her life, Miss Kitty was cherished by all who knew her.





Kitty is survived by her son, Chip Austin of Hampton, Virginia; her niece, Martha Lee Woody of Salem, Virginia; and her extended family. She was predeceased by her parents and by her brother, Thomas J. Malone, Jr. Chip would like to thank all those who supported and cared for Kitty in her later years: her niece, Martha; friends from church; neighbors old and new; and the staff at Brandon Oaks. A memorial service and celebration of Kitty's life, officiated by the Reverend David Skole and the Reverend Dwayne Westermann, with a reception following will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church, 2011 Brandon Avenue S.W., Roanoke, VA 24015. Memorial gifts may be made to Christ Lutheran Church at the address above and will be used to support the social outreach and music ministries of the congregation.