Katherine 'Kate' Bird Paquette

Katherine “Kate” Bird Paquette, 64 of 169 Spring St. died at home Tuesday July 5, 2005.

She was born in Marietta, Ohio, May 11, 1941 a daughter of the late Derry Gates and Graham Gloster Bird, Sr. She married Russell L. Paquette Sept. 11, 1965, and he survives.

She was a 1959 graduate of Meadville High School, a 1963 graduate of Allegheny College with a BA degree in Theatre, and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Social Sorority. She also completed 2 years of post-graduate studies at Wayne State University.

An active theater participant all her life, she got her start with her Mother in summer stock in costume, technology, and performing with the Erie Playhouse, and the Penn Players at the Oakland Beach Hotel Conneaut Lake.  She also worked in summer stock in Cleveland and Miami, Florida.

Following graduation from Allegheny she was employed as stage manager at the VanGuard Playhouse in Detroit, then was the assistant scenic designer for the Bucks Co. Playhouse.  She then was employed as company stage manager at Hilberry Graduate Repertory Co. of Wayne State University for 5 years.

She and her husband then moved to Meadville where she retired from the PA State Job Service office as Senior Employment Interviewer, after 25 years of service.

Continuing her interest in theater, she and her husband built the Gardiner Theater at Meadville Market House in 1981 and operated it for several years.  She also worked with Meadville Community Theater.

She and her husband helped reopen the Academy Theater for performing arts with the Open Door Theater Co. She became lighting designer for the Academy when Ben Agresti was hired as Managing Director, and also came back to performing after a 30- year absence when she opened as Miss Hannigan in Annie in 1993.  She performed in several subsequent productions including, Nunsense, Agnes of God, Norman Heart, and Eques, and was honored with several Ernie Awards by Mr. Agresti.  She retired from theater work in 2000.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and a former Choir member, an avid Cleveland Indians fan, and the first recipient of the YWCA Woman of the Year in the Arts.

Survivors in addition to her husband of 39 years include 1 daughter Derrie Michalski and her husband Mark of Kannapolis, NC, 1 grandson, Ethan Graham Michalski, 2 brothers, James Bird and his wife Tessie of Meadville, and Derry Bird, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Scranton, and 2 nieces and 2 nephews.

Following cremation a memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church Saturday July 16, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Martin, former rector, officiating.  Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

Following the memorial service, a reception and wake will be held at the family home at 169 Spring St, Meadville.

The family suggests memorials may be made to a local theater group of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc. 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.