Katherine Kivlighan CarterAge: 94 • Fort DefianceKatherine Kivlighan Carter, 94, died peacefully surrounded by family on October 4, at her home in Fort Defiance.  She had just enjoyed a four day self proclaimed "wake" during which Kit (also known as Nanny and Mom) had "the best time of her life" as her family gathered to say good-bye.She was born on May 22, 1923, in Staunton, a daughter of Mabel Hollar Kivlighan and John Joseph (Joe) Kivlighan.She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Samuel Henley Carter, and her son, Thomas Fleming Carter.She is survived by her sister, Ann Kivlighan MacLeod and seven children and their families:  Henley Carter and his wife, Mary; Beverley Coffman and her husband, Steve; Joe, Alex, and Lee Carter; Rob Carter and his wife, Lindsay; Katie Carter Zimmer and her husband, Paul. Kit was much loved and adored by her eleven grandchildren: Anne Carter Coffman Smith and her husband, Dean; Lee Coffman and his wife, Ashley; Hunter, Heath, Thomas, Joseph, Stuart and Sam Carter; Gus Zimmer and his wife, Gabrielle; Sam and Kate Zimmer. Kit also had five great-grandchildren: Katherine, Wesley and Sam Smith; Henley Ann and Collins Coffman. She is also survived by Tom's wife, Marcy, her husband, Adam, and their daughter, Julia, and her nephew Colin MacLeod. In addition, she had two very special little friends, Anna Katherine and Lila Hayes.Kit was the salutatorian in the Class of 1940 at Robert E. Lee High School. She graduated from Mary Baldwin College in 1944. From 1944 until 1946 she served as an aerographer's mate in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).On March 30, 1946 she married Samuel Henley Carter. After a residency in Roanoke, Virginia, they settled in Fort Defiance where they raised 8 children. Kit volunteered and served on many boards after her children were grown. In 1987, she was given the J Lewis Gibbs Distinguished Service Award by the Mental Health Association for outstanding service in the field of mental health. She received the Emily Smith Medallion award in 1991 for outstanding service to others and the college of Mary Baldwin. She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the tennis community in 2010. She was the first director of the Staunton Senior Center which was started by the Valley Program for the Aging in 1974.Kit was a lifelong resident of the Staunton area. She was very proud of the local history and was a member of both the Augusta Historical Society and Historic Staunton Foundation. She provided much information that has been utilized in the Historic Staunton Downtown walking tours brochure. She was also a member of the Thursday Morning Music Club.Kit was an avid tennis player and fan. She won the Women's Division of the News Leader tournament when she was only 15. She continued to play tennis until she was 89 years old. She loved her tennis friends and told all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that if you learn to play the game of tennis "you will always meet nice people wherever you go." Kit was above all the epitome of a good sport.The family would like to thank Patricia Denoncourt for her loving care for the past five years, Katrina Smith, and Hospice of the Shenandoah.Kit was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Staunton. Her celebration of life service will be held there on Sunday, October 8 at 2:00 pm with burial following in Augusta Stone Cemetery in Fort Defiance. There will be a reception following the service at the Carter residence in Fort Defiance.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of the Shenandoah, c/o Augusta Health Foundation, PO Box 1000, Fishersville, Virginia 22939 or Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 300 W. Frederick Street, Staunton, Virginia 24401.Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.