Kathleen M. Karsch's Obituary
With profound sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Kathleen ‘Kathy’ M. (DeBow) Karsch, aged 77, on March 5, 2024. She is survived by her devoted husband Philip Karsch, and two loving sons, Robert (Leigh) of Oreland, P.A., and Stephen (Jennifer) Karsch of Aston, PA., as well as her grandchildren, Harrison Karsch of Oreland, PA, and Madeline and Andrew Karsch of Aston, PA. She is additionally survived by her brothers Joseph, Michael (Linda) and Paul (Deborah) DeBow and her sister Rosemary (Larry) Wheatley and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Catherine M. DeBow and her brothers Stephen (Mary) and Charles (Patricia) DeBow.
Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1947, Kathy grew up in a boisterous household filled with laughter. She graduated from Villa Joseph Marie High School in 1965. Determined to get a college education, Kathy taught at catholic schools throughout the area in order to support her pursuits. One of the first women to attend La Salle College, it was there that she met her future husband, Phil. Kathy ultimately graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1969 with a degree in education, and one week following graduation, she married Phil, sharing 54 wonderful years together. Kathy was a devoted wife, a loving mother to her two children, and an adoring grandmother to her three grandchildren, whom she cherished with all her heart.
Dedicating her life to education and helping others, Kathy impacted many lives during her tenure as a teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade, N.J. At her home parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Cinnaminson, N.J., Kathy also worked with the youth ministry and counseled many couples in the Pre-Cana marriage preparation program.
Forever in pursuit of learning, after retiring from teaching, Kathy enrolled in Rutgers University’s Master Gardener Program, volunteering at the school’s test gardens in Moorestown, N.J., and answering questions on its ‘Horticultural Hotline’.
In later years, Kathy and Phil were founding members of St. Charles Borromeo’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an organization dedicated to providing service to people in need. And Kathy served as the organization’s spiritual adviser from 2017 until 2023.
Through all her charitable efforts, she never asked for credit nor was motivated by praise–instead she strove to do something nice for someone every single day, changing the world through her kindness, compassion, empathy, and love– leaving behind a beautiful legacy that will be cherished and remembered always.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Cinnaminson, N.J., on Wednesday, March 13th at 10:30 a.m. The family invites all who knew and loved Kathy to join them in commemorating her remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers her family requests donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 2220, Cinnaminson, N.J. 08077.
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