PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Katharine P. Gordon, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, died of natural causes at age 73 on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016.

Kay was a warm, outgoing person who laughed freely and loved deeply. She was kind, generous, devoted to her family and an excellent listener.

Kay was born on July 1, 1943, in Rochester, N.Y., to Douglas and Suzanne Parker, who preceded her in death, as did her brother, Douglas "Dean" Parker.

She grew up near Springfield, Mass., where she loved to ride horses and participated in many equestrian competitions. She graduated from the MacDuffie School for Girls, then earned a bachelor's degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

She had a lifelong commitment to social-justice issues. While in college, in 1963, she traveled with other Freedom Riders to participate in a sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in St. Augustine, Fla.

Kay was a devoted Unitarian Universalist who helped found the Delaware U.U. Fellowship, and was a member of the First Unitarian Church in Pittsburgh.

She also was a staunch Democrat who was politically active all her life. She was a staffer in the Columbus office of former U.S. Senator John Glenn, and retired as director of the Board of Elections in Delaware County.

Kay is survived by her three children: Ken (Faith) Gordon of Grove City, Kim Thompson of Columbus and Jeff (Raimee) Gordon of Fox Chapel, Pa.; seven grandchildren: Michael Thomas, Lindsey Gordon, Krystal (Kevin) Counts, Trish (Chris) Beebe, Alexis Thompson, Hannah Gordon and Zach Gordon; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church in Pittsburgh. Donations may be made to the American Association of University Women, the Delaware U.U. Fellowship, or Colby College.

Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc., 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire, Pittsburgh, Pa. Online condolences may be made at freyvogelfuneralhome.com.