Kathleen Mattie Blair

Kathleen Mattie Lenehan Blair of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away on August 9, 2026, at the age of 83. She is survived by her loving daughters, Michelle Lenehan Blair Baker and Carolyn Mattie Blair; son in law Sean Baker; two grandchildren, Liam Randall Baker and Madeline Kathleen Baker.

Kathleen “Kathie” was born July 24, 1943, in Cleveland, OH, to Delores and Harry Beck, and she was soon adopted and raised by Vivian and William Mattie.

A champion equestrian and an artist, she studied art and art history at Bennett College (‘64) and the Cleveland Institute of Art, where she also worked. She taught art at her alma mater, Laurel School (‘62) in Shaker Heights for several years.

In 1965, Kathie married Michael Lenehan, a fellow equestrian and artist. Together they studied, taught, and practiced yoga at the Light of Yoga Society, of which they were founding members. Shortly after the untimely death of Michael in 1971, their daughter, Michelle Lenehan, was born.

Kathie married Randall Blair in 1972, and their daughter, Carolyn Mattie Blair, was born in 1976. They were divorced in 1985.

Family and friends remember Kathie as a passionate lover of life with a wide variety of interests, including her art and yoga. Kathie studied several martial arts, earning a black belt in Taekwondo. She studied Native American beliefs, taking part in many Native celebrations and ceremonies, and learning the Dakota language. Her avid interest in travel and culture took her bicycling through Europe; one of her favorite accomplishments was reaching the top of the Simplon Pass.

In 2000, after the birth of her first grandchild, Kathie moved to Fairfield, CT to be near family. Here Kathie took an active interest in the CT Audubon Society’s bird count and hawk watch, and she worked as a dental assistant in Wilton for nearly twenty years.

A fiercely devoted grandmother, nothing made her as happy as simply spending time with her family.

Struggling with dementia and other medical issues, Kathie was living at Mozaic Senior Living in Bridgeport when she died.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made in Kathleen’s memory to the DementiaSociety.org or CtAudubon.org

A memorial service will be held August 22, 2026 at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Fairfield, 11:00 AM.