Kathleen M. Leavey-Hatty, born on October 16, 1944, passed away September 14, 2018. Loving wife of Lou Hatty, daughter of the late Lester Leavey and Marie Kelly. Dear aunt of Debbie (Michael) Wolfgram, Susan (Michael) West, Veronica (Steve) Thelander, Caroline (Joel) Martin, Mike (Claudiu) Hatty, Eileen Dyer, Janine Plourde and Christopher Capaldi. Dear great-aunt of Evan and Matthew Wolfgram; Tyler and Jacob West. Cherished sister-in-law of the Hon. Michael P. (Vivian) Hatty, John Verpoort, Janice (Tom) Capaldi, Cynthia (Mark) Plourde and Michele (Todd) Fritz. In addition to her family she is survived by many dear and cherished friends gathered throughout her lifetime. She was predeceased by her sister, Susan Zukovich and niece Kim Zukovich.

Kathy, orphaned at a young age, was taken in with her sister, Susan, by her Uncle Ed and Aunt Ruth. Kathy earned a scholarship to Wayne State and taught in the Detroit Public Schools. While teaching, she earned a law degree at Wayne State Law. She then began a lifetime of public service with the City of Detroit as well as serving on and leading several charitable and professional associations and boards.

An accomplished public lawyer, Kathy was an attorney for the City of Detroit Law Dept. Water Section under Mayor Young and moved to DWSD administration under Mayor Archer, which she ran successfully thru the end of the Archer administration. Kathy was elected by her peers and served honorably on the City’s Pension Board. Kathy rose to the head of the City’s Law Dept. as corporation counsel under acting Mayor Cockerell. Kathy retired from City employment in 2009.

An avid gardener and animal lover, Kathy was loved by one and all for her warmth, kindness, keen wit, sense of humor and the way she cared for others. 

Visitation Monday, 9/17 from 3-8 PM at Chas. Verheyden, Inc., 16300 Mack, Grosse Pointe Park. Funeral service Tuesday, 9/18 at St. Clare Montefalco Church. 11:00AM in state and 11:30AM memorial service. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations appreciated to Michigan Humane Society. Share a memory or light a candle at www.verheyden.org.