The Longy community mourns the loss of Katherine “Kitty” Dukakis, former First Lady of Massachusetts, activist, and a dedicated friend of Longy. A Cambridge native, Mrs. Dukakis devoted her life to her community through many social efforts related to the arts, homelessness, mental health, and addiction.
Mrs. Dukakis established the Harry Ellis Dickson Fund at Longy in memory of her father and former Boston Pops conductor to directly support the Longy Side-by-Side Orchestra program. In addition to his time as conductor, Dickson was the first violinist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra for over five decades. Mrs. Dukakis was a modern dance teacher at Lesley College (now Lesley University) and Brookline Arts Center.
Mrs. Dukakis lived out Longy’s mission of social change her entire life, maintaining an independent and blazing career of activism while her husband, former Governor of Massachusetts Michael S. Dukakis, pursued his political career. Many of her efforts directly supported the “underdog,” with projects directed toward helping the homeless and refugee populations, AIDS, and Holocaust education. During Jimmy Carter’s administration, Mrs. Dukakis was appointed to the first President’s Commission on the Holocaust and later served on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council under President George H.W. Bush.
Mrs. Dukakis will be remembered as an inspiration for her honesty and openness regarding her own personal struggles with mental health and addiction. She is survived by her husband, three children, seven grandchildren, and a legacy that will inspire many for years to come.
Those who wish to make a donation to the Harry Ellis Dickson Fund in honor of Mrs. Dukakis can do so at longy.edu/donate.
Karen Zorn, President of Longy School of Music, and Kitty Dukakis, Activist and Former First Lady of Massachusetts