Born on 2 June 1932 in Luxembourg to parents Jean Deville and Madeleine Chicot, Catherine Madeleine, commonly known as Kitty, and her two brothers spent their childhood in Luxembourg City. Kitty was a pupil at the Lycée du Fieldgen and then at the École normale des Institutrices in Luxembourg. After graduating as a schoolmistress, the young woman started out as a teacher in Fentange. Enthusiastically, Kitty Deville continued her language studies at the Sorbonne and at the University for Foreign Languages in Madison (Wisconsin) as well as specialised courses at the University of London. The Italian language is being perfected in Perugia, Italy.
The next professional step, teaching French at the American Private School from 1964 to 1975, was the creation of the CISV Children's International Summer Villages. The CISV adventure really began with Kitty Deville, Carlo Meintz and a small team of teachers. The first summer village opened its doors in 1972 in Walferdange.
At the same time, Kitty taught French and German at the European School in Luxembourg for 33 years. In this collegial and European climate and through her vocation as a scout, she invested herself in bringing together young people from all horizons and cultures.
Delegate and vice-president of the Fédération Nationale des Femmes Luxembourgeoises to the CNFL, Kitty Deville was president from 1982 to 1983. A woman with a heart, she worked for the creation of a centre for battered women and the drafting of statutes and an agreement with the Ministry for the management of a home for battered women in the south of the country.
Her dedication to the European cause makes her an outstanding personality. She fought for the construction of a citizens' Europe and the continuation of the work for peace. Kitty Deville was awarded the gold medal by the European Merit Foundation for her commitment to Europe. She is also involved in many other associations.
Kitty Deville was very discreet in her private life. In 1978, at the age of 46, she married Oscar Quaglino. After only 6 years of marriage, she was widowed.
Kitty Deville passed away on 27 November 2016 after a long illness.
Sources:
● Laurent Deville
● De Buet - Gemengeblat vun Hesper N°40 12 ¦ 2019 p. 17
● CISV Luxembourg celebrates its 40th anniversary, Femmes Magazine Luxembourg N° 125 April 2012
● Frauen engagiert in Kirche und/oder Gesellschaft - Kitty Deville, Marienland 03 ¦ 2012 p. 6