Pitney Farm Pioneer Dies at 89

Kathleen Pitney, nee Troast, passed away on Aug. 1 at home in Mendham at the age of 89.

Pitney was the daughter of Paul Troast, Chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority during the time of its construction and Republican gubernatorial candidate in 1953. Pitney was also the graduate of Passaic High School and Smith College, '44.

Pitney paved the way for women in politics as president of the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women and was an influential advocate, giving of her time to numerous social and educational causes.

Pitney served as chairwoman of the New Jersey Comprehensive Planning Council, the Public Health Council, the Disciplinary Review Board of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the Mendham Township Committee and many other organizations.

Pitney was a trustee of Fairleigh Dickinson University and played an instrumental role in the Development Office of Smith College.

A respected horticulturalist, Pitney tended and expanded the gardens of Pitney Farm, which are in the archives of the American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution.

She also served on the board of Wave Hill and was the president of the Garden Club of Somerset Hills. Pitney exhibited in the Philadelphia and New York Flower Shows, winning numerous awards, including the prestigious Certificate of Excellence from the National Garden Club of America in recognition of her work in miniatures.

Pitney had a wonderful private life filled with love, family, friends and travel. She and her adoring husband Duncan set the standard for her children and grandchildren whom she embraced with patience and good humor.
Kathleen once wrote "It's the things you don't do that you regret, so don't be afraid to try things that will make your life fuller and richer."

She leaves behind her brothers John and Arthur Troast, sons Trygve and Erik Sletteland, daughters Sigrid Franzblau, Karen Jackson, Wendy Macbeth, stepsons John and Christopher Pitney, eighteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Her husband Duncan and stepdaughter Jenifer Lyle predeceased her.
A remembrance ceremony for Kathleen and Duncan will be held on Sept. 15 at 3:00 p.m. at Pitney Farm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Community Foundation of New Jersey, Friends of Pitney Farm Fund", P.O. Box 338 Morristown, NJ 07963, or online at www.cfnj.org.

The Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Pitney Farm as a cultural hub for Mendham.