Kathleen Brightbill

Kathleen Mary Brightbill, 83, died Thursday, August 23, 2007 in Oceanside California where she arrived from Syracuse the day before to spend her last days with her eldest son living by the ocean, and visiting with her west coast family.

Born May 4, 1924 in Central New York from anonymous parents that gave her up for adoption upon birth; she was adopted and raised in Hamilton NY until age 13 when both adoptive parents succumbed. She was taken in by her aunt and uncle, and thereby lived the vast majority of her life in Mattydale.

Mrs. Brightbill was preceded in death by her husband Russell C. Brightbill in 1992. She is survived by her sons Tom/Steve of Oceanside, CA and Chris/Russ of Mattydale, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, a nephew, a niece, and a host of family members living in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Kathleen/Mary sang in the choir of the same church, Calvary United Methodist in Mattydale, for 70 years before retiring from the choir earlier this year. After retiring from many years with Chappell's Dept. Store and 20 years with Kemper Insurance, she devoted herself to helping others working with the church, Meals-On-Wheels, political volunteering, and various other projects and charities. She loved life, lived it as best she could, and lived it well. She was admired and loved by all. She was an extraordinary person that had many good friends.

An informal seaside/beach memorial service was held on August 26th in Oceanside, CA, attended by her west coast family and her daughter-in-law, Laurel who accompanied her on the trip to the west coast. A formal memorial service will be held at the Calvary United Methodist Church on Sept. 15th at 11 am. She will be interred in The White Chapel Memory Gardens Cemetery beside her husband Russ. The family suggests donations in her behalf be made to Meals-On-Wheels.