Kathleen Vesper Purdom, born Nov. 8, 1940, age 78, and a lifelong resident of Middletown, died peacefully June 15. She was the daughter of the late Frances and Joseph Vesper and was predeceased by her beloved grandson Anthony Joseph Purdom.
She leaves behind her beloved husband John, two children, Nicole and Ryan Purdom, and three precious grandchildren, Masyn, Sage and Easton Purdom, along with many loving family members and friends.
When Kathleen was in high school, she performed in a number of high school shows and recitals showcasing her skills in point, ballet, tap and jazz and at one point was encouraged by her dance teacher to try out for the Rockettes. She got her high school nickname “Kit” when she had to embroider her name on her gym clothes and she told her mother that Kathleen was too long put on her clothes, so her mother said, “Just put ‘Kit,’ ” so that’s how her nickname “Kit” came about.
She was very involved in her Middletown Township high school class of 1958 reunion committee and she retired from Fort Monmouth as a secretary after 25 years of dedicated and trusted service.
She enjoyed getting together with family and friends to celebrate birthdays and holidays and she was a gifted storyteller with a contagious laugh and a wonderful sense of humor. She also loved to travel to new places and had many adventures with her friends and cousins. She enjoyed life to the fullest, but her greatest joy was being a loving mother and grandmother. Devoted to her family and a lifelong friend to many. She will be sorely missed.
Visitation was June 20 at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial took place June 21 at St. Catherine Laboure. Interment followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
