Kathryn Kilpatrick Nunneley

Kathryn Milliken Kilpatrick Nunneley died November 23, 2022, with her three daughters at her bedside. Known as "Muffie," a childhood nickname, she was loved and revered by her husband of seventy years, RADM James K. Nunneley, as well as her extended family.

Muffie was born May 2, 1930, in Philadelphia, PA, and in her early years rode horses and sailed and summered in Ocean City, NJ where she also spent hours at Gillian's Fun Deck trying to grab the Merry-Go-Round brass ring. In her teens, she was a cheerleader and played field hockey and lacrosse at Haverford High School in Haverford, PA. She matriculated to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. It was during her second year there that she met the love of her life on a blind date at the Army/Navy game, Midshipman Jim Nunneley, whom she married upon graduation. She went on to live a full and rich life as a Navy wife, mother, volunteer, and homemaker managing nine moves and creating beauty in each home. Muffie taught herself many forms of needlecraft, including sewing, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, crewel, and counted cross-stitch. She also learned the art of calligraphy, ceramics, collage, and handcrafted metal flowers. She has left many keepsakes that her family cherishes, including teaching her young girls these same pleasures.

Muffie loved being with people. She volunteered with the Red Cross and Navy Relief, and in joining PEO, a women's service organization, she served other people and causes. She was a kindergarten teacher while her children were at home, and in her mid-life years worked for the American Society of Naval Engineers. In 2007, she and Jim moved to Willow Valley retirement community in Willow Street, PA, along with ten other United States Naval Academy graduates and their wives from the Class of 1952. There she joined the Chorale, helped in the library, and enjoyed a Bible study group and book club. She and Jim enjoyed the fellowship and learning at Grace Community Church, also in Willow Street. She was known for stopping and talking to friends and total strangers about things she found interesting as a way to connect and to draw people together. In her heyday, she was an entertainer extraordinaire, hosting large Navy-related social events that celebrated old friends and new. She fully embraced the Navy into her life and with Jim was able to return to Annapolis to live happily for a number of years, attending football games and Naval Academy Chapel services and flirting with midshipmen. She loved what the Academy stands for and maintained that level of discipline and service in her own life.

Muffie is survived her husband Jim, of Willow Street, PA; her daughters Kathy Bagden (Alan), McLean, VA; Ann Hogge (David), Richmond, VA; and Stacey Paul (Corky), Grand Rapids, MI, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was most proud of her family and known as "Nana" to her seven grandchildren: Kate FitzGerald (Tom), Charlotte, NC; Andrew Hamilton (Catherine), McLean VA; Will Hamilton (Adair), McLean, VA; Ashely Schneider (Brett), Charlottesville, VA; Carson Hogge, Charleston, SC; Abby Nagher, Grand Rapids, MI; Jacob Boers (Kelly), Grand Rapids, MI. As "G-Nana," she was blessed to know her thirteen great grandchildren: Gracen and Lawsyn; James and Jack; Chapman; Millie and Rowe; Maddie, Spencer, Tripp, and Sam; Josie and Max. She was never happier than when this large clan gathered in Lewes, DE, at a home she and Jim built to create a legacy of summer memories that has bound the family together for nearly forty years.

A Celebration of Life for Muffie will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel (121 Blake Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401) on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 10:30 am followed by the committal at the Naval Academy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made "In Memory of Kathryn Nunneley" for the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel. Muffie and Jim were married at the chapel in 1952 and renewed their vows there in 2002. The U.S. Naval Academy Chapel has always held a special place in their hearts.

Donations by mail may be sent to:
Liz Root
Director, Gift Administration
U.S. Naval Academy Foundation
274 Wood Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21402
Indicate the gift is "In Memory of Kathryn Nunneley".

Online donations may be made at:
www.usna.com/give
"I would like my gift to go to", select Other.
"How would I like my gift to be used", enter "U.S. Naval Academy Chapel".
Navigate to the next page where there are additional options to indicate the gift is "In Memory of Kathryn Nunneley."