Kathryn Van Dyke was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 3, 1942. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Northeastern Illinois University, a master’s in medical education from Northern Illinois University, a Masters in Adult Education from Georgia Southern University, and is a Ph.D. candidate.
Kathy worked as a registered nurse in Chicago. She received her training at Roseland Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at St. Joseph’s Chicago and started the Chicago Nursing In-Service Association. She also taught medical education at the Chicago Heart Association. After her marriage to Dr. Robert O. Levitt, she volunteered at both St. Joseph’s and Chicago Heart and many other organizations as well. Kathy was also the co-founder of the Critical Care Nurses Association of Chicago. Her philanthropic work included service on the board of the Art Institute of Chicago (where she was instrumental in bringing the Neapolitan Creche to the Institute) and the Chicago Symphony Auxiliary Board. Kathy and Dr. Levitt moved to the Landings on Skidaway Island in 1980. There she served on the Public Health Committee at the Landings, offering CPR classes, free blood pressure screenings and other public health initiatives.
After officially retiring in 1981, Levitt used her own interests as a springboard for her volunteer work, especially in Savannah’s cultural and healthcare communities. Her volunteer highlights include starting the SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo, a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital; chairing the Go Red for Women movement for the American Heart Association; and sponsoring the Levitt Photography Gallery at the Jepson Center for the Arts. She was also involved in Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, Second Harvest, Savannah Science Museum, Alzheimer’s Association, March of Dimes, Old Savannah City Mission, and Savannah Onstage (now the Savannah Music Festival). Kathy and her husband were also heavily involved in the Coastal Georgia Archaeological Society, of which Robert served as president. Kathy has been a member and supporter of the Georgia Historical Society for more than 20 years.
Kathy credits much of her desire to give back to the community to her mother, who she notes was always helpful to other people, regardless of time and finances. Kathy is the past president of the Chatham/Savannah Heart Association, the founder of the Heart Ball, a founding board member of Savannah Onstage and the Savannah Music Festival, board member of the Savannah Science Museum, Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and co-founder of the Ocean Film Festival and the Ocean Blue Underwater Film Festival.
The Mrs. Robert O. Levitt Fund was established at the Georgia Historical Society in 2020, ensuring that her dedication to Georgia history will continue in perpetuity.