If you knew Kathey and would like to contribute memories or photos, please contact Allison.

Museum Scope Article
In Memoriam: Kathey Nix

There is a new star in the heavens, and her name is Kathey Nix. Kathey passed away March 25 after a short battle with cancer. Dearly loved by all our family of museums staff, Kathey was a very special person and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Kathey was Manager of Theaters at the Pink Palace, responsible for the Union Planters IMAX® Theater, the Sharpe Planetarium and the Mansion Theater. She had been at the Pink Palace nearly 20 years. She was first employed in June 1983 as part time "Planetarium Coordinator," lecturing and presenting planetarium shows. Kathey was promoted to Associate Manager of the Planetarium in January 1986, then to the position of Planetarium Director in October 1994. After the untimely death of Theaters Manager George Brown in December 1996, Kathey stepped into the position of Manager of Theaters. Soon after becoming the Theater Department manager she directed the renovation/modernization of the renamed Sharpe Planetarium.

Kathey was well-known around Memphis. Local media tapped her as an astronomy expert whenever celestial events occurred, or there was NASA news about new discoveries. She appeared many times on television and radio as an astronomy expert or in interviews concerning our theater's presentations at the Pink Palace. She was always present at the Planetarium's popular Observing on the Lawn and at the Pink Palace Crafts Fair with the Solar System Walk and telescopic observing of sunspots.

Kathey leaves her parents, Bill and Jane Hayden and four brothers, James, John, Robert and Timothy Hayden. Her beloved dog Walker died a few days after her funeral. The staff of the Pink Palace Family of Museums will sorely miss her smile and positive attitude, her knowledge of celestial events and astronomy, and her good humor and gentle nature.

Pink Palace Museum Scope, written by Dan Hope