Kathleen Patricia Hemp

Kathleen Patricia Hemp, a resident of Royal Oak for 60 years and formerly of Clawson, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025, at the age of 82.
Born on February 8, 1943 in Saginaw, MI, to Wilfred and Eleanor Bedford, Kathleen spent her early years in Fenton, MI. Her family moved to Clawson during her elementary school years, and she graduated from Clawson High School in 1961. She went on to attend Michigan State University before beginning her long and successful career in furniture sales. For 25 years, she worked at Hudson's in Oakland Mall, where she was known for her warm personality and exceptional dedication to her customers and coworkers, retiring around the year 2000.
Music was one of Kathleen's greatest passions. She was a gifted pianist and enjoyed singing, especially with the Royal Oak Musicale Chorus, which she became a member of in 2009. Her love of music brought joy not only to her but to all who heard her play and sing.
Kathleen married her husband, Richard Robert Hemp, February 1, 1964 and shared many years of love and partnership before his passing on July 28, 2000. Together, they built a life rooted in family and kindness. Kathleen especially adored her grandchildren and grand-dogs, who always brought a smile to her face. She also had a deep appreciation for nature and loved watching the wildlife that frequented her backyard-deer, groundhogs, rabbits, and more.
Kathleen is survived by her children, Tammy Mooney, Deborah (Kevin) Seiter, and Michael Hemp; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; her brother, John (Patricia) Bedford; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Hemp; her son, Charles "Butch" Hemp; her stepdaughter, Cheryl Hemp; her son-in-law, Kevin Mooney; her daughter-in-law Christine Hemp, her brother, Mike Bedford; and her sister, Dorothy Bedford.
A memorial gathering will be held from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, with a memorial service commencing at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Gramer Funeral Home, 705 North Main Street, Clawson, MI 48017.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen's memory may be made payable to "Royal Oak Musicale" with "Student Aid Fund" in the memo line, and mailed to: Susan Allen, 211 N. Edgeworth Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathleen, please visit our floral store.