Katharine Grinnell More

Katharine Grinnell More passed away peacefully at Rivercrest Nursing Home in Concord, MA on March 6th at the age of 94. Known in her early years as Kitty and later as Kate, she was born in Milton, the second of Nicholas and Virginia Morris Biddle’s four children.

Kate had many talents, varied interests and tremendous energy. She grew up in Milton, where she attended Milton Academy, then studied art history at Vassar College. Kate showed early promise as an artist, chronicling family life in cartoons and contributing cartoons to the Milton and Vassar newspapers. Following Vassar, Kate was hired as the artist for an archaeological dig at Mycenae, Greece, then worked at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, and taught English at Milton Academy.

Upon marrying Trenchard More, Jr in 1958, Kate dedicated herself to nurturing a vibrant and loving family life. She was a creative, tireless mother and raised her three children without television. Instead, she encouraged a wide range of activities including sailing, skiing, skating, riding, hiking, board games, arts and crafts, music, cooking, vegetable gardening, and extensive reading. Her carved pumpkins, hand drawn valentines and witty birthday cards were expressive masterpieces. Her method of teaching sailing by deliberately capsizing on occasion to eliminate fear became legendary in the wider family.

Kate was a gifted illustrator and studied at the Art Students League of New York in the early 1970s. After moving to Sudbury, MA she pursued social work, gained a master’s degree at Leslie College, then completed a PhD at the Boston Centre for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies while also working as their administrator and librarian. Retirement to Vermont rekindled her love of art and inspired her to capture Vermont’s disappearing farms on canvas. Skilled in oil and watercolour, she exhibited at the AVA Art Gallery in Lebanon, NH and the Chaffee Art Centre in Rutland, VT, and earned membership in the Vermont Watercolour Society. Her poignant paintings of aging Vermont barns and coastal Maine are colourful reminders of her warmth and talent.

Kate is survived by her three children Paul More, Grinnell More and Libby Pratt, her sister Liz Barret and brother Nicholas Biddle, Jr, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. 

A memorial service in Kate’s honor will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 2:30 pm at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 112 Randolph Ave, Milton, MA.

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap St., Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com