Kathleen Strait

Kathleen "Honey" Milligan Strait, daughter of the late Lester and Kathleen McTiernan Milligan passed away on Saturday, January 10th, 2026.

As a teenager, Ms. Strait won a Newsday award for her scholastic record, community involvement, and sports activities.

Ms. Strait received her bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and continued her graduate studies at Temple University and the University of Indiana.

A landscape designer for over 45 years based in Greenwich, CT, Honey wrote a gardening column for 28 years for the Greenwich Time. She also wrote garden related articles for other publications including the New York Times. In addition, she also hosted one-minute gardening radio spots on WGCH.

Honey was a Founder Member of the Garden Conservancy. She was also president of the Garden Botanical Center in Greenwich. Her Riverside home’s conservatory was featured in the New York Times, House and Garden Magazine, and on the cover of the book, “Decorating with Plants.”

Honey taught horticulture at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and lectured widely in Fairfield and Westchester Counties, as well as for 2 consecutive years at the Bryant Park Flower Show in the 1970s.

She was an avid sailor, having raced on the Long Island Sound as well as ocean sailing including the South China and Sulu Seas. An ardent and adventurous traveler, she climbed the Himalayas (18,000 feet), followed the Silk Road, traced the footsteps of Alexander the Great, and traveled to many other areas throughout the world, visiting 45 countries. In addition, photography was a passion and she photographed places before commercial tourism made an impact.

Surviving are her daughter, Tara Waechter (Ash), and son, Jonathan (Christina), and their children, Deckard and Skye. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Astrid Milligan, and niece Yvette (Larry), and nephew Ian (Alison), and their children, Julius, Shannon, and Connor. Honey’s brothers Lester and Gerald predeceased her.

A memorial service will be held in February. Please contact Spear Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield, CT for more information at 203-259-0824.