Submitted photo Kathi ‘Kat’ Simons, an Elkins native who began in radio locally and then had a long successful career in Virginia, passed away recently at age 63.

ELKINS — Elkins native Kathi “Kat” Simons is being remembered and honored by friends and organizations for her work, friendship and selflessness towards animals and charity organizations.

Simons, an Elkins native and former 98.9 WDNE FM radio host, passed away on June 28 at her home in Midlothian, Virginia. She was 63. Her unexpected death sent shockwaves through the radio community.

Simons graduated from Elkins High School in 1979. She then went on to earn a B.S. Degree in Communications at Davis & Elkins College, where she began her career as a deejay on the college radio station.

She would continue her career at WDNE for several years before moving to Virginia, where she stayed as a midday deejay at Audacy AC’s “Mix 98.1” WTVR FM in Richmond and “101.3 2WD” WWDE FM in Hampton and Norfolk for more than 25 years. Several of her shows were simulcasted through different stations in Virginia and Florida.

“This loss has left a void in our hearts, one that seems impossible to fill,” Mix 98.1 said in a statement on June 29. “For decades, Kat graced our lives with her unwavering devotion to her work, her listeners, her colleagues, and her sponsors. She was more than a voice on the radio; she was a cherished friend and a comforting presence, always offering a kind word or a sweet question with sincere curiosity.”

Friends and coworkers of Simons have shared their grief and condolences over the loss of a beloved friend and colleague.

“Oh Kat, I don’t even know where to begin,” Liz Harris, host of Liz on the Radio, posted on her Instagram. “You drove me absolutely NUTS. But you were also a friend, a mentor, my work mom. You held me while I cried after I got my heart broken. Always told me you were proud of me. You were always one of my biggest fans, even when I wasn’t a fan of myself. I have never known a day in my radio career that you weren’t there.”

“Anyone who ever met @KatSimonsRadio knows how amazing she was,” Riley Reed, radio personality on more961music, q101hitmusic, 1019POR, posted on X. “To hear about her passing is crushing. She was an early part of my broadcasting career and just the sweetest person in the world. You were always willing to listen to help me, and I will miss you dearly. RIP Kat.”

Simons was known for her affection for animals, always signing her show off with a “meow.” She also hosted a segment on her show called “Pet of the Day,” where she would introduce an animal up for adoption at a local shelter as the Pet of the Day, raising awareness in adoption and finding homes for furry friends. Simons’ segment helped raise thousands of dollars towards aiding animals.

Her efforts to support and fundraise to support shelter animals has not gone unnoticed. The Richmond Animal League (RAL) announced the additions of “Kat’s Corner,” a housing unit for adoptable cats that will sit in the RAL shelter lobby with a special plaque dedicated to Simons and “her legacy of love and compassion for kitties in need.”

“Kat Simons did so much to support Richmond Animal League and rescue groups throughout the community,” RAL said in a Facebook post announcing “Kat’s Corner.” “Words cannot express our gratitude for all Kat has done nor the feelings of losing such an incredible friend.”

Simons was also a large supporter of charity organizations such as Richmond and Hanover ARC, Down Syndrome, Relay for Life, the VA, USO, the Alzheimer’s Association, Arthritis Association, SPARC, Faison, Children’s Hospital, the READ Center and the Diabetes Association.