William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe sent the following message to the campus community on March 28, 2025. – Ed.

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share news that Louise Lambert Kale HON ’09 passed away on March 26, 2025. Ms. Kale was a stalwart of William & Mary for nearly 40 years. 

Ms. Kale joined the university first in the fine arts department and then as the inaugural registrar and building manager for the Muscarelle Museum of Art. In 1995, she was named executive director of the Historic Campus.

Affectionately known as the “Keeper of the Flame,” Ms. Kale’s dominion encompassed our country’s oldest and most treasured academic buildings. Her work ranged from helping couples plan their Wren weddings to extensive scholarship and managing the “Wrenewal Project” from 1999-2001.

Ms. Kale was known as a generous mentor. She coached rookie administrators. She brought up a new generation of historians and preservationists through the Spotswood Society. And she gave a warm welcome to visitors from around the world.

Ms. Kale’s wit, intellect, generosity, and leadership were renowned. She received the university’s Sullivan Award for “heart, mind, and helpfulness to others.” William & Mary made Ms. Kale an honorary alumna in 2009. Around the campus, to know her was to love her.

A reception in celebration of her life will be held in the Wren Building’s Great Hall on Saturday, April 5, from 1-3 p.m. A full obituary for Ms. Kale, written by Charles Fulcher ’99, Director of Wren Operations and Events, may be found online. 

Sincerely,

Katherine