ACMP mourns the loss of Kate “Kitty” Bigelow Benton (1935-2025), a former board member, board secretary and longtime editor of the ACMP newsletter.

Kitty was a bon vivant, musician, clothing designer, voracious reader, author, artist, sailor, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Born to Albert Smith Bigelow and Sylvia Weld Bigelow in Cambridge, MA on March 29, 1935, Kate (Kitty) Bigelow Benton closed the final chapter on her incredibly full life on November 2, 2025, in Providence, RI. She passed away peacefully with her family around her after a short illness.

She is survived by her four daughters and their families: Frances Benton Nallett of Keene, NH, Kate Benton Doughan of Pasadena, CA, Emily Benton Morgan of Providence, RI, and Louisa Barclay Benton of New York, NY.

Kitty wrote about herself: “I’m a late bloomer! After raising four daughters, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1993. I served as the International Childrenswear consultant for Laura Ashley, LTD; opened Kitty Benton Incorporated, a high-end children’s fashion business designing heirloom clothing for children, sold to Saks Fifth Avenue bridal shop, licensed my designs to McCall’s Patterns, and wrote three books: Sewing Classic Clothes for Children (Hearst), Classic Designs for Today’s Active Children (Morrow), and Easy Guide to Serging Fine Fabrics (Taunton Press).”

Kitty was a featured lecturer at Heirloom Sewing conventions and seminars around the country. After she retired from the fashion world, she became a docent and guide at the Costume Institute and the High School Education Program at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She continued to express her love for children as an artist, specializing in delicate etched silverpoint portraits.

A graduate of Milton Academy ‘52, Kitty studied violin at the Juilliard School until her marriage to Nicholas Benton in 1954 (deceased 2006) and returned to Milton as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1986-1998.

An avid violinist and violist, she loved playing chamber music and valued her time serving as News Editor, Board Member and Secretary of the Associated Chamber Music Players, Inc., a global association of chamber music players.

On May 7, 2022, the ACMP honored Kitty Benton with the Helen Rice Award (founder of the ACMP and revered violinist and violin teacher). After the award presentation Kitty participated in an All 6 Bach Brandenburg Concerti Play-In.

Kitty thrived living in New York City for over 70 years. In 2022 she moved to the Laurelmead Cooperative in Providence where she was an active member of the community and the Art Committee and supported the Shea Fashion Design program at Shea High School in Pawtucket, RI.

She loved words and games and was known to complete the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in pen. Scrabble, Boggle, Backgammon, Bridge and Jigsaw Puzzles were lifelong favorites.

Kitty helped start the children’s sailing program at the Bourne Cove Yacht Club in Wareham, MA and presented the annual Albert Smith Bigelow Award (named after her father) to a developing young sailor of Optimist Prams every summer and the Rudolph Weld Award (named after her grandfather) recognizing unmatched good sportsmanship and enthusiasm. Kitty Benton won this same award twice (2002 and 2013) as voted by BCYC leadership.

Kitty went for her last sail in August 2025 in the warm waters of Buzzards Bay where she spent every summer of her life. Upon the boat’s launching, her smile was as big as the ocean.

A family celebration of life will be held next summer on the shore of Buzzards Bay.

To honor her life, donations can be made to The Buzzards Bay Coalition or to Associated of Chamber Music Players (ACMP).

On June 7th, 2021 ACMP staff paid a visit to Kitty Benton’s New York City apartment and asked about her fondest memories of ACMP:

Kitty played such a vital role in ACMP’s history and community, and will be greatly missed by our staff, board of directors and members. We send our heartfelt condolences to her daughters Frances, Kate, Emily and Louisa, and to their families.