Katherine Textor Farmer ’92 The Deerfield Academy community was saddened to learn of the death of alumna and trustee Katherine “Katy” Textor Farmer on June 14, 2019. She was 45 years old. Born in Seattle, WA, to George and Wendy Textor, Katy was the oldest of three children. She leaves behind her husband, Colin, and their two children, Riley and Will. Katy’s New York Times obituary read in part: She embodied grace, kindness, humor, and determination throughout her life and especially during her recent battle with cancer. By her own admission, Katy’s greatest joy and source of pride was her immediate and extended family. She was a loving and tireless mother, wife, daughter, sister, and cousin. She never let the long distances between her many family members limit their closeness. A perfect day for Katy was spent in the Thousand Islands, on the water with her children, spreading joy, mischief, and sugar. Katy was an accomplished producer and television journalist. She began her career in the political unit of ABC News, where she covered the 2000 Presidential election. She joined the White House press corps in 2001 as a producer for ABC News covering the Bush Presidency, including the launch of the coalition invasion of Iraq. In 2003, she returned to New York and joined CBS at 60 Minutes where she worked as an associate producer and producer, collaborating extensively and over many years with Morley Safer. While at 60 Minutes, Katy was credited with 22 stories as a producer or co-producer and earned multiple Emmy nominations; her 23rd piece will air next season. She produced profiles, features, and investigations, including the first television interview with Ruth Madoff, the Theranos whistleblower case, and the Syrian refugee crisis. In a tribute to Katy from the Academy, President of the Board of Trustees Brian Simmons said: Katy was a role model even before her decade-long service to the Academy as a trustee. A member of the Class of 1992—one of the first classes to include girls after the Academy’s return to coeducation—Katy was a leader on campus who gave it her all in the classroom and on the playing fields. She always exhibited grace under pressure, setting the highest standards of open-mindedness, empathy, inclusion, and candor during her time as a student and as a member and Vice President of our Board. Katy moved Deerfield forward in new, more inclusive directions—effectively shaping the school and defining by her actions Deerfield’s enduring cultural values of community, excellence, and service to others. Her finely honed sense of humor, cheerful optimism, and sharp mind enhanced our community in so many important ways. Katy truly lived the words of the Academy’s motto, ‘Be worthy of your heritage,’ and she will be cherished in loving memory by all who knew her. //
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