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Katharine Dodge, 86, turned school library into a work of art

By Bill Gallo, Special to the Rocky

Published July 3, 2008 at 1:22 a.m.
Updated July 3, 2008 at 1 p.m.

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Mrs. Katharine Dodge "could get any student to read - and enjoy it."

Mrs. Katharine Dodge "could get any student to read - and enjoy it."

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In her youth, Katharine Dodge studied art history at Vassar College. Later, she devoted herself to managing the collection, studio and gallery of her longtime companion, the famed Colorado sculptor and landscape painter Edgar Britton.

But for three decades, Mrs. Dodge also produced her own great work of art - the library at Graland Country Day School. In that rose- scented sanctuary, she gently urged generations of Denver children toward the rapture of books and the life of the mind while classical music softly filled the room.

"I've never known anyone like her," said Inara Humeyumptewa, who served as Mrs. Dodge's library assistant in the 1980s. "Katie had a unique gift for helping each student pick the perfect book, and for inspiring each one deep down. When they came to the library, the kids would often say: 'It's really nice in here. It's special.' "

Mrs. Dodge died May 27 at Brighton Gardens after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 86.

A Denver native, Katharine Kunz was born May 7, 1922. After studies at Kent School and Vassar, she earned a graduate degree in library sciences from the University of Denver and married David C. Dodge in 1944.

After the couple's divorce 20 years later, "she made it her mission to see that my brother and I got through private school and all the rest," Mrs. Dodge's son Don recalls.

At Graland, Don became one of his mother's first reading-for-life projects, via E.B. White's Stuart Little, The Johnny Unitas Story and, later, the novels of John Steinbeck.

"She always knew exactly what button to hit," her son said. "She could get any student to read - and enjoy it."

Mrs. Dodge's second career was derived from her years with Britton. "For 10 years they had a wonderful relationship," her son said. "When he died (in 1982), she continued to promote his work; she helped get his biography written and keep him before the public."

In her years as Graland's head librarian, 1957 to 1988, Mrs. Dodge also built up the library's collection of books and art.

"The library really was her creation," Humeyumptewa said. "She was a favorite of many of the children and a mentor to a lot of the teachers. She also had about her the scent of roses. I don't know if it was her hand cream or something else. But the children noticed it, too. They'd smell roses and say, 'Mrs. Dodge must be close by.' "

Services were June 12 at St. John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington St. Mrs. Dodge's ashes were interred at the church's All Souls Walk.

Her son Donald lives in Denver, as does his brother, David. She also is survived by three grandsons.

Memorial contributions may be made to Graland Country Day School, 30 Birch St., Denver, CO 80220; Kent School, 4000 E. Quincy Ave., Englewood, CO 80113; the Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 or the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.