Katherine Lee Dirks

On January 16, 2025, Katherine Lee Dirks, cherished daughter, sister, friend, and world traveler, passed away at her home in Denver, Colorado, after a valiant fight with mental illness.

Katherine entered the world on March 28, 1980, just one minute after her twin brother, Michael. She was determined to never again come in second place. Her parents, David and Laura Dirks, along with her older sister, Anne, were thrilled to welcome the twins into the family. From the start, Katherine embraced life with a fervor to experience as much as possible.

Katherine's childhood was marked by her passion for sports and the arts. A swimmer and tennis player, she set numerous summer club and high school swim records, some that still stand as a testament to her competitiveness. She also loved skiing and hiking the mountains of Vail and, later, Steamboat Springs. She was honored as a Le Bal de Ballet debutante, and her love for ballet and theater continued throughout her life. Katherine spent six years with the Colorado Children’s Chorale, performing in operas such as Falstaff and La Bohème and touring Hong Kong and China, experiences that ignited her lifelong passion for travel and music.

Academically gifted, Katherine graduated from Manual High School, obtained her BBA in Marketing from George Washington University, and earned her MBA in Finance and Real Estate Management from Emory University. A semester at the American University of Paris deepened her love for French culture, particularly for Champagne and fashion. It also deepened her love for Matt Damon, as he filmed the Bourne Identity in the building across from her Paris flat. 

Katherine dedicated 20 years to her career in government with the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, working in the national office in Washington, DC, and in the Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO, regional offices. Her projects included documenting White House floor plans and auditing property management operations. She received the highest staff recognition for her project management of national GSA collaboration meetings. Beyond her professional achievements, she was a passionate volunteer, leading the board of the Rocky Mountain Alliance Children’s Foundation and engaging with the Junior League in Washington, DC, and Atlanta, among other meaningful causes.

As a child, Katherine was told she could have a pet rabbit only if she caught one. Rising to the challenge, she and a friend caught a rabbit in Denver’s City Park, paving the way for many more pet bunnies. As an adult, she became a devoted dog mom, first to Gizmo, the three-legged wonder dog, and then to her beloved foster-fail, Maddie. 

Katherine's greatest joy was exploring the world, visiting spectacular destinations across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and many of the islands in between. She especially loved bringing friends and family along for her journeys. Her adventurous spirit shone through her travels, delighting friends and family with her captivating stories and clever use of emojis to share her experiences. 

Katherine loved being teased, dancing at weddings, keeping the music and drinks flowing at parties, and ensuring everyone around her had a great time. Her infectious laughter and mischievous nature were infamous with her friends and family. During the memorial of her grandmother, Therese McClure, Katherine spontaneously led a cartwheel procession on the beach at sunset, uniting everyone in a moment of pure happiness and celebration.

Tragically, Katherine also struggled with mental illness, which ebbed and flowed throughout her adult life. She fought hard in her own way to keep it under control, finding refuge in yoga, tennis, and hiking. Her family fought alongside her and deeply wanted a different outcome for her from this disease. 

Katherine is preceded in death by her father, David, and is survived by her mother, Laura; her sister, Anne Henderson; her brother, Michael; brother-in-law, Will Henderson; nephew, Ren Henderson; and a large family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are heartbroken at her passing and will miss forever the laughter she brought into their lives.

The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Colorado Children’s Chorale or a charity of your choosing in Katherine’s memory.