Katie Knowles Surgot

Katie Knowles Surgot, 59, of Ridgefield, CT, dedicated mother, partner, sister, and friend, passed away on October 25, 2022. Loved by her fiancé Glenn Sutton, her three beloved children, Jacqueline, Harrison, and Spencer Knowles, her two brothers, Thomas DeLancey (Vana) of Humble, TX, and James DeLancey (Honor) of Abingdon, MD, and four sisters, Laura Husted (Dave) of Hollywood, MD, Melissa McGuire (Dan) of Stamford, CT, Jennifer Agro (CJ) of Norwalk, CT, and Joslyn DeLancey of Stamford, CT. Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Surgot, and her parents, Carol DeLancey and Joseph DeLancey. Other members of the family who cared deeply for Katie include Victoria and Lily Sutton, her stepchildren, Joseph and Erin Surgot, and grandchildren, Maureen and John, her nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and her lifelong best friends.

Katie was born Katherine Ann DeLancey on February 8, 1963 in Encino, California. A self-proclaimed Valley Girl, Katie loved going to the beach, concerts, movies, and anywhere fun with her friends. She graduated from Granada Hills High School, married, and began her career in insurance. She then started her family and earned a bachelor's degree at California State University, Northridge at night while simultaneously working and caring for her family. She eventually moved to New York where she built an unparalleled reputation as a highly respected, trusted, and admired leader in her field, and became nationally recognized as the preeminent specialist for insuring celebrities and professional athletes. Through the years, she brought her inimitable talents to numerous national brokerages, with her clients loyally following for the unmatched expertise and service she provided. She held distinguished titles throughout her career, and most recently served as Director in the Entertainment Division of NFP Property and Casualty's Private Client Group. Katie had a rare love for what she did, and that set her apart.

Katie's passion for life was evident in her time spent seeing the world with friends and family, enjoying live music, and attending Broadway shows. Most mornings, she could be found waking up before sunrise to work out with her gym friends and get a head start on the workday. Even with such a busy life, Katie always prioritized her children, family, and friends. She was an extraordinary friend, as exemplified by the relationship she maintained with her best friends from high school, Julie, Kathy, Laura, Lisa, and Tami, taking an annual girls' trip with them even 40 years later. She was incredibly generous and took great pride and joy in crafting the most wonderful memories and fun experiences for her family and friends. Katie was the true head of the DeLancey family for many years and an incredible hostess, creating Christmases filled with extravagant decorations, birthdays with goody bags for all, and memorable graduation celebrations. Kind, compassionate, smart, and fun, Katie was a remarkable woman deeply loved by many. She fought a valiant battle against cancer and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Family will receive friends on Friday, October 28 from 5 to 7 PM and on Saturday, October 29 from 9 to 11:30 AM with a service to follow at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home at 2 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Ronald McDonald House .