Kathy Kochan

(Asbury Park Press)

KATHY KOCHAN
SEA GIRT
Kathy Kochan (nee Balsamo), of Sea Girt, passed away at her home early Christmas morning in the loving arms of her husband, Hank Kochan. She lost her 22-year battle with breast cancer; she was also a proud 56-year survivor of insulin-dependent diabetes. Kathy was born on August 28, 1949 in East Orange, NJ. She graduated from East Orange Catholic High School in 1967. Kathy worked as an administrative assistant after graduating from Berkeley Secretarial School. She previously lived in Mendham, NJ for 27 years. While living there, she was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church where she served as an Eucharistic Minister and a member of the welcoming committee. In addition, Kathy enjoyed membership in the Mendham Junior Woman's Club. Kathy was an avid reader and loved to cook and entertain friends and family. She authored and published three cookbooks: The Diabetic Goodie Book, De-lite-ful Appetizers and The De-lite-ful Way to Healthy Cooking. She enthusiastically taught classes on healthy cooking and eating. After moving to Sea Girt, NJ seven years ago she eagerly volunteered at the Epiphany House caring for babies and toddlers of young mothers in recovery.
She is survived by Henry (Hank) Kochan, Jr. (Sea Girt, NJ) her loving husband of more than 39 years; her son, David Kochan (Norcross, GA) with his wife, Sabrina, and their daughter, Brandi, age 9 and son, Jason, age 3 and her son, Marc Kochan (Clifton, NJ) with his wife Maria and their son, James, age 14 months. She leaves behind her mother, Anna Balsamo (West Caldwell, NJ); her brothers, Dr. Peter Balsamo (Lexington, SC) and Robert Balsamo (Long Valley, NJ); her sister, Maureen Mould (Yakima, WA) and two nieces, Cara Thomas and Sofia Marie Balsamo. She also leaves behind so many dear and loving friends in Sea Girt, Mendham, and other locations.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm at O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall Township, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, December 30, 9:30 am at St. Mark's Church, 215 Crescent, Parkway, Sea Girt, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mary's Place by the Sea, a support center for women battling cancer, at 7 Ocean Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756 (www.marysplacebythesea.org), and/or Kaleidoscope Konnections, her sister's non-profit organization that brings hope through compassionate clowning, at 3416 Taylor Way, Yakima, WA 98902 (www.kaleidoscopekonnections.org).