Mary Claire Kilty ’78

Mary died peacefully Aug. 9, 2017, after managing cancer for 14 productive years — a tribute to her grit and the loving attention she received from a wide circle of family, physicians, and friends.

Mary graduated from Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Ohio, before majoring in art history at Princeton. After Harvard Business School she was a managing director at Bankers Trust, director at Société Générale, and chairman’s assistant at the Export-Import Bank. In her 50s Mary earned a Ph.D. in epidemiology from Columbia’s School of Public Health and conducted leading-edge research there. An accomplished figure skater and arts aficionado, Mary made the most of life in New York City. She maintained close ties to Princeton, serving as class treasurer and ASC interviewer, participating in a storied ’78 book club, and traveling the world in the company of classmates.

Mary will be remembered for her brilliance, courage, and generous embrace of people from all walks of life. Not only did she open her doors to far-flung acquaintances and transient 20-somethings, she also famously befriended a homeless man, who became her trusted house sitter and dog walker par excellence.

Mary is survived by her father, S. Timothy Kilty ’55; siblings Laura Kilty and David Kilty and their spouses; a cherished nephew; and three beloved nieces.