Kathy Susan (Bott) Rauch

Kathy (Bott) Rauch, of Fairview, NC died peacefully at home on 25 December, 2024. She was the middle daughter of three girls and two boys born to William Bott and Judith (Storch) Bott of Allentown, PA. She was preceded in death by her brother Richard Bott of Clarendon Hills, IL. Kathy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Robert P. Rauch of Fairview, NC, step-daughter Robin (Rauch) Lenge (Vito) and grandson Zach Lenge of Allendale, NJ. Kathy was a beloved sister to William B. Bott Jr (Anna) of Venice, FL; Karen Snyder of Mansfield, PA; and Jennifer Wojcikowski (Richard) of Homewood, IL; sister-in-law, Deborah Bott of Clarendon Hills, IL (surviving spouse of Richard Bott); and cherished aunt to Neal Bott, Olivia Bott, Tali Snyder, Austin Snyder (Heidi), Troy Snyder (Casey), Noah Wojcikowski, Callisto Wojcikowski, and Elizabeth Wojcikowski. She was preceded in death by her niece, Abigail Bott (daughter of Richard and Deborah). Kathy also had one grandnephew Ronin (son of Tali) and one grandniece Amelia ("Millie") Snyder (daughter of Troy and Casey).

Kathy graduated as a scholar athlete in 1981 from Parkland High School in Orefield, PA, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, class of ‘84. She built an accomplished professional career, serving in a variety of senior marketing and communications leadership roles within organizations including US Sprint, General Electric, The United States Telephone Association, Corning Incorporated, and World Kitchen, among others. Kathy was recognized as a leader in her field, and valued as a mentor and fierce advocate for young women professionals.

In 2000, Kathy restructured her professional life to reflect what she valued most – family, faith, and friends – and established her own strategic marketing communications company, The Satori Group, ltd. She leveraged her expertise and a network of colleagues to build a successful business that provided communications work for technology, service and consumer products companies, as well as educational institutions. True to her values, Kathy ensured that Satori dedicated a generous percentage of its business to non-profit and pro bono work. Kathy retired from Satori in 2024.

Kathy’s commitment to community involvement was reflected in the countless volunteer opportunities she enthusiastically embraced in every community where she lived. Donating her time, talent, and personal resources, Kathy served on committees, boards of directors, and in many hands-on roles. Some of the organizations she supported include 171 Cedar Arts Center, The ARTs of the Southern Finger Lakes, Susan B. Komen for the Cure, Fund For Women of the Southern Tier, The Cathedral of All Souls, Women for Women Giving Circle, and Beloved Asheville, among many others.

Kathy had a strong, life-long faith in Jesus Christ and was a devoted member of her church, The Cathedral of All Souls (Asheville NC). Kathy loved singing in All Souls’ choir, and serving in many roles within the church including as a Vestry member, Senior Warden, and Pastor Search Committee member. She found joy in spending time with her husband, Bob, whether traveling internationally, hiking locally, riding their horses, listening to their favorite music, gardening on their beautiful mountain property, or snuggling with their two dogs Bella and Nova. Kathy was also an accomplished equestrian, competing in cross-country, stadium jumping, and dressage.

A celebration of Kathy’s life will be delayed to honor her wishes for a service within her beloved Cathedral of All Souls (currently being restored due to the recent hurricane). Details about her service will be communicated through private outreach and social media channels. If you would like to honor Kathy in the meantime, we are asking for donations to Beloved Asheville in lieu of flowers. Asheville was, indeed, beloved to Kathy, and she would be happy to know that her memory contributed to its recovery efforts.

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