Katherine Turnbull Bainbridge

Katherine “Kit” Turnbull Bainbridge, retired teacher and wife of the Rt. Rev. Harry B. Bainbridge, III, died February 9 at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton, MD. She was 79 years old. Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, Kit attended the Tatnall School (C’ 59). After high school, she spent two years at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, before graduating with a BA in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963. Upon graduation, she married Harry Bainbridge. The couple made their first residence in Norfolk, VA. In 1964, they moved to Sewanee, TN, where Harry was enrolled in seminary to become an Episcopal priest. The couple also lived in Memphis, Fayetteville, and Knoxville, TN, Monroe, LA, and Easton, MD, before Harry was elected Bishop of Idaho. ` Along the way, Kit served in many roles within the Episcopal Church and also in education. As an advocate for Christian Education, she worked with Education for Ministry, youth groups, and Sunday school classes. Anyone who participated in a Bible study class with Kit quickly became aware of her understanding of the importance of living the faith with others. Upon returning to Easton, Kit served as the Diocese of Easton Co-Chair of Episcopal Relief and Development, after Harry had served as the Chairman of the Board of the national organization. Kit also valued her work with the Stephen’s Ministry pastoral care program. She was known among the Episcopal Bishops Spouses/Partners community as a leader in mobilizing to minister to the poor and the needy. Kit loved to entertain church members, hosting open houses for congregants at all the churches where they served. A lifelong learner, Kit attended classes at Old Dominion University, the University of Virginia, Memphis State University, the University of Tennessee, Chesapeake College, and Boise State University while receiving an MA in Reading Instruction from the University of Northern Colorado and an Ed.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Northeast Louisiana University. She taught, tutored, and was a reading specialist, education specialist, and consultant at schools and school districts from preschool to the college level in five states. Kit also raised money for the Blue Ridge School, founded by her grandfather, in St. George, VA. Kit is survived by her son, Harry B. Bainbridge, IV, and his wife Tara Scanlon of Washington, DC; daughter, Elizabeth Bainbridge and her husband, Michael Beber of Reston, VA; her sister, Jane Blake Turnbull of Wilmington, DE; her brother, John Turnbull of Virginia Beach, VA; and four grandchildren, May, Ned & Clara Bainbridge and Henry Beber. Per her wishes, Kit will be cremated. No memorial service is planned at this time, due to Covid-19 concerns, but one will be announced in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Episcopal Relief & Development (www.episcopalrelief.org) or the George P. Mayo Scholarship Fund at Blue Ridge School (www.blueridgeschool.com) To those who knew her, Kit will remain a kind, welcoming and peaceful soul, now at peace.

Katherine Turnbull Bainbridge

June 2, 1941 - February 9, 2021