Stewart Manor resident Kathleen Springer, a beloved teacher at Hillside Grade School in New Hyde Park for 39 years (previously Kathleen Alexander) who grew up in neighboring Garden City, died on Friday, Aug. 8 after a 6-year valiant and tireless battle against ovarian cancer. She is predeceased by her parents, George Thomas Springer and Mary Gloria Logan Springer, and her older brother, George Thomas Jr. She is survived by William (Pamela) Springer and their children, Alexandra and Christopher of Rye, NY, Ken Springer and his children, Michael (Stephanie Loftus), Kenneth (Jennifer Logan), Thomas Springer, all of Ridgewood, NJ and William (Forest Kettler) of Washington D.C., Marianne (Joseph Judge) and their children Kathleen, all of Virginia Beach, and Mary, of Arlington, Virginia, Carole and her daughters, Lauren and Annadora of Arlington, MA, Jeanine of Floral Park, and Patrick (Sunny) Springer and their children, Hana, Logan, and Patrick of Ridgewood, NJ. Loving grand aunt to August, Eleanor, Paloma, and Lucille Springer of Ridgewood and dozens of cousins. She was well loved and had many friends including her close friend, Lyn Beck of Franklin Square who was one of her primary caretakers.
Kathy was the oldest of seven children and cared for her brothers and sisters and their children with never-ending energy and love. Helping others was her primary mission in life and she would always make time to help neighbors, friends, family, and even complete strangers. She was very generous and loved bringing a smile to someone’s face or help a person in need. Throughout her six year battle with cancer, she never complained about the disease or her pain – instead commenting that she was thankful that the cancer caused her to slow down, smell the flowers and spend more time with her family and friends whom she loved so deeply. She was a proud member of St. Anne’s Parish for most of her life and was religious education teacher for many years. She was an active member of many social ministries at St. Anne’s, brought Communion to homebound parishioners, and was on call to help others in need.
A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 16 at St. Anne’s Church in Garden City. The family was cared for by Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home, Floral Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: the St. Anne’s Social Ministry Fund or foundationforwomenscancer.org
