Katherine M. Kingsley Passmore

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116: 15 Katherine M. Kingsley Passmore, 100, of East Smithfield, PA entered peacefully into the very presence of Jesus Christ her Lord Wednesday evening, June 27, 2012 from her home. “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Born March 19, 1912 in Ricketts, PA, an eleventh generation Mayflower descendant, Katherine was the fourth child of Dr. Harry O. Kingsley and Bertha Mason Kingsley. The early years of her life which Katherine deemed the high point of her development were spent growing up in the lumber camp at Laquin, PA where her father served as a physician. She loved her life there where she began high school. She later resided with her family in Gillett, PA and commuted by train to Troy, PA where she completed her high school education. Katherine was a graduate of Mansfield State Teachers College where she received her degree in music and in June of 1933 married Burdette Loomis Passmore of Gillett. The couple made their home in the Gillett area and with the arrival of their daughter Linda Louise in 1934 and son, Burdette Kingsley in 1935, Katherine was not able to employ her training in music for a number of years to follow, except for private piano instruction to many pupils over the years. In 1939, the family moved from Gillett when Burdette and Katherine acquired the long established Kingsley family farm located to the west of East Smithfield. Katherine was very content with life on the farm and her only activity outside of the family was her membership with the East Smithfield Baptist Church where she served as church pianist and later organist for many years. During the late 1940’s and early 50’s Katherine traveled every Monday night to Elmira, NY with friends, Gertrude Nichols and Mildred Wood to rehearse with the Elmira Civic Chorus. She especially enjoyed the chorus performance of Handel’s Messiah at Christmastime. In addition to her enjoyment of music at home, and teaching music at SRU in later years, Katherine became active in special music, singing, playing piano and organ and taught Sunday school at the Calvary Baptist Church in Athens where she was a member for 68 years. She also taught herself to play her husband’s clarinet in the church orchestra as well. Katherine was an outstanding citizen who exemplified the finest virtues of American life. She won the respect of many family members, friends, neighbors and acquaintances who came to know and admire her. Katherine will be fondly remembered by family and friends for her wealth of warmth, wit and humor, pithy sayings and as a wise mother and good listener. Katherine was never happier or in better form than to be among her family whom she loved dearly. Surviving are: Her daughter, Linda Passmore Myers of Milan Son, Burdette Kingsley (Fayne Swartwood) Passmore of Gillett, PA Grandchildren: Joel (Melinda) Myers, Kerry Myers, Kevin (Heather) Myers, Derin (Julie) Myers, Burdette (Conny) Passmore, David (Doreen) Passmore, Diane Passmore Hubert (William), Annette Passmore Barnes (Randy), Barbara Passmore Critcher (Jerome) and Lesa Passmore. 25 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Burdette Loomis Passmore, grandsons, Mark Robert Myers and John Dale Myers, brothers, Alton and Walter and sisters, Harriet and Bertha. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 2, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Athens. Private interment services were held at Union Cemetery, East Smithfield, PA. Contributions may be directed to the Calvary Baptist Church, 701 W. Pine St. Athens, PA 18810 in Katherine’s memory.

Katherine M. Kingsley Passmore

March 19, 1912 - June 27, 2012

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Katherine M. Kingsley Passmore

March 19, 1912 - June 27, 2012

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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