Lansdowne mourns death of Katherine Graham, retired Carleton professor

The community of Lansdowne is remembering Katherine Graham, who was found dead in her home this week. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

The village of Lansdowne is mourning the loss of one of their own, a retired Carleton University Professor who residents say contributed greatly to their community.

The community is grieving for Katherine Graham, 78, who was found dead in her home Tuesday, and also grappling with the news that Graham’s daughter is facing first-degree murder charges for her death. Graham is being remembered as a vital member of the small community that sits over an hour south of Ottawa in Leeds and the Thousand Islands.

On Friday morning, investigators could be seen moving in and out of the home, trying to piece together what happened, while the township paid tribute to her.

Ontario Provincial Police say officers were asked to conduct a wellness check shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at a residence on County Road 2 in Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township.

“Officers located the individual deceased inside the residence,” police said in a media release.

“A postmortem examination confirmed the death was the result of homicide.”

Corinna Smith-Gatcke, the mayor of the Leeds and the Thousand Islands, announced Thursday that the flags would be lowered at the township office throughout the weekend in her memory.

“I could probably name all day, all the things that she has done for other people, to serve her community,” Smith-Gatcke told CTV News Ottawa on Friday. “Her intelligence, her drive. She’s just been a beacon in the community for doing better and striving for excellence.”

Smith-Gatcke says Graham was very active in the community and volunteered on multiple township committees, describing her as a woman with a wonderful sense of humour who was always engaged.

“I would say that she was just very thoughtful,” she says. “She was that person that sat back in a meeting or in a gathering and would take it all in before adding whatever quip or, anecdotal evidence that she did. She just was a really genuine human.”

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Carleton University said Graham’s work advanced understanding and collaboration, and will continue to have an impact.

“Graham was a distinguished scholar, leader and public servant whose career profoundly shaped the fields of public policy, local governance, community development and Indigenous policy in Canada,” Carleton University wrote.

Police say 43-year-old Katherine Graham, who has the same name as the victim, of the Leeds and Thousand Islands Township was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder. She appeared in a Brockville, Ont. court on Thursday and remains in custody.

OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson confirmed the victim and the suspect are mother and daughter.

The news has sent a shockwave through the small community which has a population of just over 500.

Julia Mylks says she’s lived in the community just over a year and calls the community welcoming. Mylks says the news came as a shock.

“Just sad,” she says. “To have this kind of thing happen any time of year, but especially this time of year. It’s just heartbreaking.”

Smith-Gatcke says many in the community have been left devastated by the news.

“I would say the community is still, in a pretty shocked state,” she explains. “And probably will be for some time, and we will get through it together.”

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