Florence Kathaleen “Kat” Kerens Lynch of Bridgeport, won her fight with Alzheimer’s Disease and succumbed on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at home surrounded by family. She will finally know who Kathaleen is, again, and will remember everyone who loved her. She was a twin; born on May 13, 1920, in Kerens, WV, to Grace and Wilbert Kerens. She was the last surviving child of her family, having been preceded in death by her sisters, Madaleen Kerens, Lelah “Sis” Rennix, Freda Martin and brother, John Kerens. Kathaleen was married to Charles Lynch from 1940 until 2003, when Charles passed.

 

Surviving are children Sue Baldini and Jan Lynch (husband Rick Clapsadle), both of Bridgeport. She was preceded in death by her son, Charles “Dick” Lynch. Mrs. Lynch had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; MariElena Baldini Oliverio (husband Joey), Michael Baldini (wife Christine), Ursula Lalama (husband Marcello), and Lydia Baldini. Her great-grandchildren are Edward Oliverio, Jaxon (Bronwyn) Oliverio, Jonah Lalama, Madelyn Lalama and Corinne Lalama.

 

After graduating from Elkins High School in 1937, Kathaleen attended and graduated from WV Business College, having learned bookkeeping and secretarial courses. She started her professional career as a seamstress and bookkeeper, at Wally’s men’s clothing store and David’s Pants Shop on Third Street, Clarksburg. In 1950, after her youngest child started school, she returned to the work force and worked at Singer Sewing Machine Company in Clarksburg where she started out making covered buttons, buttonholes, and dress forms and acting as a salesperson. Eventually, she advanced to sewing instructor and held that position until 1956. Her talented sewing and hand-made gifts were appreciated by family and friends and she was always working on a project. Kathaleen was a secretary for Prudential Insurance, and then for James Frush, acting as his secretary/office manager, until the mid 1980’s, when she obtained her license and began to sell real estate.

 

In her active years, Mrs. Lynch was a member of Altrusa Club, and the Women’s Club of Bridgeport, having held the presidency of the Women’s Club in the early ‘70’s. Her dedication to those less fortunate always found her making hats for cancer patients or filling boxes at Christmas. She learned to golf, upon retirement, and was an avid golfer at Sunnycroft Country Club, where she and her husband were members. Until her eyesight started to fail, she was constantly working on a handmade item for a grandchild, relative, or friend. Kathaleen was a member of Bridgeport United Methodist Church and the Ruth Circle.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either People’s Hospice 327 Medical Park Drive, Bridgeport, WV 26330 or to Alzheimer’s Association, West Virginia Chapter, 1601 2nd Avenue, Charleston, WV 25387.

 

Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home 607 S. Virginia Ave., Bridgeport from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday (today). Mrs. Lynch will lie in state at Bridgeport United Methodist Church, 251 Worthington Drive, Bridgeport from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, where services will be held at 11 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Ken Ramsey presiding. Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery.