Kathryn A. “Kathy” West
August 29, 1966 - July 28, 2021
Kathryn A. “Kathy” West, age 54, of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Born in Wilmington, on August 29, 1966, she was a daughter of the late James C. and Elizabeth (Vaughan) West, Sr. Kathy graduated from Newark High School in 1984. She then attended Penn State University, where she earned her degree in Geo Science in 1988 and in 1993 obtained her Masters of Science degree from Kent State University. Kathy made her career as a senior geologist at AECOM, since 2004.
She enjoyed traveling, especially visiting national parks and going to the beach. Kathy enjoyed photography and was a proud member of the Penn State Alumni Association. She was a collector of minerals, gems and stamps.
Kathy is survived by her sisters, Susan E. West of Newark and Jacqueline C. Haftl (Stephen) of Middletown; brother, James C. West, Jr. (Jenifer) of Frederick, MD; nieces and nephews, Teresa, David, and Jonathan Haftl and Veronica and Zoe West; grand-niece and nephew, Greyson and Amelia Haftl; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE. A second visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday, August 5, 2021, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am at the funeral home. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance not immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine per the Governor of Delaware. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy’s memory to the Food Cupboard of Newark United Methodist Church, 69 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711; Penn State Alumni Association- Delaware Chapter’s University- Endowed Student Scholarship (payable to “PSAA-DE”) to PSAA Delaware Chapter Treasurer, Lee Lenkner, 431 Geddes Street, Wilmington, DE 19805; or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
Isabel swanson
Rip Kathy,I will always remember how kind and quiet you were when we were your neighbors.now you will be with your momma and daddy for eternity.Your accomplishments in life will be remembered.
Charlesta Snyder
Susan I was stunned and shocked to get Raymond’s message about Kathy!! That is such sad news. Kathy was so young, so energetic and enjoying life so much! We communicated quite frequently on FB and I always looked forward to hearing from her and what was going on in her life. I am so so sorry, Susan. How much grief so soon after losing your Dad, one of my favorite cousins. I feel so helpless being so far away, but please know I am holding all of you in my thoughts and prayers. When you have time please let my know what happened. I shall miss my conversations with Kathy, Sending lots of love to you and all the family. Charlesta Snyder
Edith Sanderson and Erika Vaughan
Deepest condolences on the passing of our niece and cousin, Kathy. We will miss hearing about all of her walks and adventures.
Faith Whittington
So sorry for James and Jackie and Susan to loose a sibling way to soon. My Condolences. I will miss Kathy. She was so reliable. Hearing her stories of making Jam or her travels always made me smile. Her nerdy love of minerals and stones and her Blog about same will be missed. May her spirit go forth to the afterlife shining. <>
Margaret Vaughan
Dear Susan, Jackie and James I have been thinking a lot of our childhood and family Christmas celebrations where each family took turns hosting with all of us sitting at the kids table and how much fun we had. Then there were long Canasta games and you mom’s delicious cooking when I would come spend a week during the summer. As adults we have been busy with our own lives but have always gotten together for times when we were saying goodbye to a beloved family member or celebrating milestones in each other’s lives. Kathy was always there and willing to help whatever the situation. I admired her sense of adventure and enjoyed our times together as family. I am so sorry for your loss especially since you lost your wonderful dad so recently. Sending my love and prayers to all of you. Maggie
Francine Mccrear
Kathy will be missed by her co-workers and may she rest in peace prayers go out to her family and may God be there to help them in their time of grief.
Fran McCrear
Co-Worker AECOM
Shirley A. phillips
Family of Kathy, my deepest sympathy and prayers to the Family. God Bless You.
Mary McElwain
I am still in shock, I’m imaging you on a great adventure. But this time I will not hear about the amazing flowers you saw or the photos. I sill have been unable to keep roses except for those 3 you told me would be easy. I so shall miss out chats about canning and which plants we wanted to see if we could grow them for you I’m going to get the prairie smoke seeds and grow those “roses”
Nan Crystal Arens
To Kathy’s friends and family: My blessing as you mourn and remember a full and much too short life.
Kathy and I were buddies in PSU-GEO. As the only women in the program at the time, we were each other’s support. She was smart, tough, funny and a very very good friend in every way possible. I probably wouldn’t have made it all the way through field camp without her. Over the years, we’ve kept in touch and shared more adventure stories. One of many things I remain grateful for was how generous she was to my students who were interested in the sort of career she had. She would take time to mentor these total strangers, just because I asked.
Marian Young
So surprised and sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. I have great memories of working with her at Weston back in the day. She was an enthusiastic and hard-working geologist who loved rocks and minerals and was always read to talk about them. My heartfelt condolences to Kathy’s family and friends.
Karen Wehn
Thanks to a mutual close friend, Kathy’s sudden passing has been made known to her friends at Kent State. We were partners in fun and hard work in graduate school at Kent. Our memories with Kathy were all upbeat and enjoyable as we went on field and road trips, helped each other through challenging classes and research. We became close through the kind of socializing that takes place between people who are going through a program of study together. Between Facebook, postcards, and letters, it was always good to hear about her travel and projects. There is still a picture on my Facebook that Kathy posted after we had gone to visit her and meet Maria. The scene we are in the foreground of is Three-Mile Island. We had a great time during those years knowing we were “all in it together.” I am sure she will shine forth in the afterlife.
Karen Nesbit
Bon voyage, Kathy. I know your friends and family are devastated by your sudden departure and will miss you always.
I met Kathy at Kent State, and we were fast friends since. From the classes we took together to our first “major” road trip to St. Louis, and our later travels around the US and the world, it was quite the odyssey. She was always there for me through the good and the not so good and I will greatly miss her friendship.
I can’t put into words my feelings of loss and sorrow; I know it must be the same for her family and friends. I hope Kathy is in heaven with all her loved ones (even the furry ones) who went before.
Susan, Jackie, and James, if you need anything, you just have to ask.
Maria hunt
I worked with Kathy for many years at AECOM. She was intense, passionate, thorough, and kind. I will miss working with her.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the funeral services. I’m on vacation with family in Montana. Yesterday, I went on a hike and thought of Kathy. I focused on seeing my surrounding as she would. I took in the rocks, wild flowers, and waterfalls and felt her by my side.
Janne Wilson
I was so sorry to hear about Kathy’s passing. I have gotten to know her better through Facebook during the pandemic and realized we had a lot more in common than I ever knew. Being six years younger than I am she wasn’t part of my cousins’ cohort growing up, but I was looking forward to getting to know her better after covid settled down. Sadly I won’t get that opportunity. I wanted to hear her tell the story again about visiting my parents, Aunt Pat and Uncle Paul, in Salt Lake many years ago. She was telling my dad that the beer in Utah was so lame and he went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of imported beer from Nevada with a respectable alcohol content and put it in front of her with a bottle opener and a wink. RIP Kathy. You will be sorely missed.
Betty Ann Baldwin
I worked with Kathy at AECOM for many years – always willing to step in when I needed something. She will be missed. RIP Kathy!
Candia Carle
I’ve worked with Kathy periodically over the past 15 years and we usually started our work discussions with an exchange on recent or planned travels. She would often offer travel tips from when is the best time to travel to a destination or how to pack light. She certainly seemed to have lived her too short time here to the fullest. I prefer to think that her journey has not ended; that she is on yet another great voyage. My sympathy to all family, friends and colleagues as you navigate Kathy’s sudden departure.
Laurie Stenberg
I had only gotten to know Kathy in the last year when we began working together on a new and challenging project in southern Delaware. We made a great team in getting this exciting project off the ground, at least in part because we both studied geology in school. We spoke at least weekly since last December and I feel her loss both personally and professionally. My sincere condolensces to Kathy’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Ann Logue
I will always remember Kathy’s love of geology and dedication to her calling. Many good memories, especially that one of a kind adventure to Boston with the other Pease ladies. Very deep conversations and silliness. I was always thrilled to hear her adventures through her love of travel. Really enjoyed staying in touch through Facebook among our other ex-westonites. She was one of a kind and leaves a hole. Always thought that I’d see you again…
George Schuman
My deepest condolences to Kathy’s family and close friends. I was stunned and saddened to learn of Kathy’s passing. Kathy and I were geology classmates at Penn State. We were fortunate to have been part of such a small group of geology students in the late 80s. I have fond memories of our geology field trips and summer field school. May you find peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
Rhonda Barton
Dear West Family, I am very sorry and shocked to hear of Kathy’s passing. I enjoyed hearing her travel stories and being inspired by her T-shirt quilt. Kathy will be missed. May the love of family and friends support you at this time.