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KATHRYN BURGOYNE

Kathryn Lee Elizabeth Oliver Burgoyne, 78, of Wheeling, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 7, 2018.

Kathy was born on July 31, 1940 in Wheeling, WV, the daughter of the late Kathryn B. Brasch Oliver and James A. Oliver.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sarah “Sally” Oliver Bodkin.

Kathy graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Wheeling in 1958 and continued her education at Wheeling College, now Wheeling Jesuit University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1962.

After college Kathy taught biology at Wheeling Central Catholic High School, before spending nine years as a water pollution biologist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She married her love, Tom, in 1970, and after the birth of her three children, she stayed home to raise her family and was the best mom in the whole world.

Kathy was a lifelong member of St. Michael Parish, where she was a long time member of the St. Michael Parish School Board, and a member of the Christian Mothers Association.

For over 20 years Kathy served as a volunteer in the Outpatient Department at Wheeling Hospital. She spent many years as a member of the Wheeling Jesuit University Alumni Council. In 2017 Kathy was named to WJU’s Alumni Hall of Honor.

Kathy lived by the motto “Service before self,” and in 2010 Wheeling Jesuit awarded Kathy and her husband Tom the Magis Award for outstanding service to the University’s admissions efforts. In 2017, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield named Kathy and her husband recipients of the prestigious Bishop’s Cross for their service to the dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston.

Sports became an integral part of Kathy’s life after she married her husband Tom. She kept the scorebook for numerous Dimmeydale Rockets little league games while Tom coached. She was an avid Wheeling Jesuit basketball fan and loved watching her son Tom play with the Cardinals from 1991 through 1995. Kathy loved cheering for the Wheeling Central Catholic Maroon Knights, rarely missing a football or basketball game throughout the years.

She intensely followed the exploits of the Boston Red Sox and usually attended a game at Fenway Park every summer. She rejoiced with Tom when the Sox finally won the World Championship in 2004, and the New England Patriots almost always brought a smile to her face on Sundays during football season.

In her spare time, Kathy enjoyed playing bridge, but always blamed her shortcomings on the cards. She loved feeding the birds at her feeders, especially her favorite cardinals. Kathy loved reading and traveling to new places brought her much joy. She reveled in the ruggedness and yet the serenity of the Atlantic Ocean and spent every summer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts or the coast of Maine. But her favorite trips were to Boston, Utah, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, to watch her grandchildren participate in their numerous athletics and school activities.

Surviving are her loving husband, Thomas F. Burgoyne Sr., to whom she was married for 48 years; her three beloved children, Erin K. Reisenweber (John), of Martinsburg, WV, Thomas F. Burgoyne Jr., of South Jordan, UT; and Elizabeth A. Amico (Joseph), of Peabody, MA; seven cherished grandchildren, Jack Reisenweber, Lilly Reisenweber, Benjamin Reisenweber, Kenadee Burgoyne, Kannon Burgoyne, Katie Amico, and Joey Amico; four sisters, Sue Hohman (Tom), Peggy Dailer (Tom), Carol McPhilliamy (Scott), and Toni Bader (Fred); and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, all of whom brought her great joy.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 from 3-8 p.m., with a Vigil Service to be held at 7:30 p.m., at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Elm Grove, 154 Kruger St., Wheeling, WV. Funeral liturgy with Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1225 National Road, Wheeling, WV with Rev. James LaCrosse presiding and Msgr. Jeremiah McSweeney, Rev. Bakhos Chidiac, and Msgr. Joseph Peterson as co-celebrants. Interment will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wheeling Central Catholic High School-Tuition Assistance Program, 77 14th Street, Wheeling, WV 26003.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.altmeyerfuneral homes.com.