Kathleen Kumpan

Kathleen (Kay) Kumpan
of Binghamton
Kathleen (Kay) Kumpan, 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at General Hospital after a period of declining health. She was born in Binghamton to Robert W. McDevitt and Lillian A. Fitzsimmons McDevitt Crandall on April 25, 1927. Kay is survived by her husband of 53 years, Daniel; her children: Gail, Dennis and Michael Kumpan; and her favorite birthday present of 9 years, Happy, her cat. Kay grew up on the south side of Binghamton on Euclid Ave. A neighbor who was a photographer for the Sun-Bulletin made her the subject of a number of his photographs for the newspaper on special occasions such as Easter, Halloween and Daylight Savings Time. She attended Abraham Lincoln Elementary, West Junior and then Binghamton Central High School. She worked as a ticket-taker at the Art Theater on Vestal Ave., back when they used to "show nice movies" (as she put it). Later, Kay worked as a seamstress in the alterations department at Fowler, Dick and Walker's Department Store. There she altered bridal gowns and other women's apparel and occasionally make costumes for a particular circus performer when she came to town. Her sewing skills came in handy when she left Fowler's to become a full-time homemaker after her second child was born. The family would like to thank those people who helped to make the last week of Kay's life as peaceful and comfortable as possible: Lauren DeWitt of Twin Tier Home Health Care, the Broome County Volunteer Emergency Squad, Binghamton General's Emergency Room staff, especially the nurses; Dr.'s Meza-Patel, Kahn and Solis, aides and respiratory therapists on the sixth floor of Binghamton General for their gentleness and compassion in treating Kay in accordance with her wishes.
In keeping with Kay's wishes, funeral services were private. Interment was in Hawleyton Cemetery. The family respectfully refuses flowers and food. Memorial contributions in Kay's name may be made to: the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, C.H.O.W., the Salvation Army, Veterans Association, the National Wildlife Association, the World Wildlife Fund or any animal shelter. Expressions of sympathy for the family may be forwarded to demunn@stny.rr.com. Arrangements for the family were directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.