Kathleen OLIVER Parker ’43, known as Kayo, was one of The Ellis School’s most loyal and generous supporters. She attended Ellis through the 8th grade and finished her high school education at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Kayo went to Bennington College in Vermont, where she graduated in 1947 as one of only four women with a degree in architecture. Kayo then moved to New York City, where she started her own architecture business and continued to design until she was 82 years old.

In her lifetime, Kayo donated more than $1.2 million to The Ellis School—enough money to endow faculty chairs in Visual Arts and History. Sadly, Kayo passed away in 2013, but not before making plans to honor Ellis through her estate.

Kayo was a vivacious lady with a great sense of humor and broad interests in the world. She is greatly missed by a wide circle of devoted friends and the many charities in which she was actively involved. Please join us in celebrating Kayo and all she has done for The Ellis School.