Katherine “Kathy” (Champion) Kalapos, 66, of Deep River, died in the early morning hours of Aug. 18 from pancreatic cancer. Born on Jan. 8, 1953, in Middletown, she was the daughter of the late Eliot Gordon Champion and Mildred (Perkins) Champion.

Kathy loved her home town of Deep River, which is where she resided for nearly all of her life. She was a 1971 graduate of Valley Regional High School and graduated as a registered nurse from the Ona M Wilcox School of Nursing in 1975. She was the school nurse at Deep River Elementary School for 25 years until her retirement in 2018.

Though cancer robbed Kathy of her retirement years, she lived a very full life in which she touched many people. She will always be remembered for her willingness to help anyone she crossed paths with in any way possible. Whether it was a family member or friend in need, neighbor going through hard times, or patient dealing with pain, she was always there to do what she could to lighten any burden.

She was actively involved in the community as a member of the St. Joseph’s Parish Council in Chester, the Deep River Republican Town Committee, Friends of the Deep River Library, and occasionally volunteered as a socializer with Forgotten Felines of Westbrook. Above all, she will be remembered and sorely missed for her great love of her family, to whom she truly dedicated her life.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Richard J. Kalapos. She is also survived by her two children, Scott J.X. Kalapos of Middletown and Kristine E. Kalapos of Deep River, as well as her beloved dog Ike and cat Margie. She also leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Gordon H. Champion and his wife Debbie, also of Deep River, along with many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 24 at St. Joseph Church, Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 48 Middlesex Ave., in Chester. Burial will follow in the Fountain Hill Cemetery in Deep River. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. To share a memory of Kathy or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.