MORRIS – Kathryn Benedict Birdsall, 82, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011 at A. O. Fo x Hospital, in Oneonta, following a long battle with cancer. 
Born in 1928 to Gould and Marguerite Holmes Benedict in Morris, Kate grew up with her sisters, Betty and Joanne, and graduated from Morris Central School. She married A. Richard Birdsall on Dec. 31, 1947, and they had recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Along with the responsibilities of raising a family, Kate worked as a switchboard operator for the Dimmock Hollow phone company in the early 1950s, as well as at the Victory Market in Morris.
Kate’s life was devoted to her family and she especially enjoyed playing cards with them, as well as close friends, on Sunday afternoons. The polio she contracted at an early age limited her physical activities, but she still enjoyed gardening and canning, and she participated in a ladies’ bridge club in Morris. Her courageous, spirited nature and the loving interest she took in the lives of her family will be deeply missed and long remembered.
She is survived by her husband A. Richard Birdsall; daughter Susan Kleinschmidt and her husband, Timothy; son David Birdsall and his wife, Diana; grandchildren Justin Dunham and his wife, Danielle; Jessica Dunham Palmatier and her husband, Thomas; Heather Dunham; Matthew Birdsall; Meredith Birdsall; great-grandchildren Kaleb, Logan, and Zeithan Dunham; Zayde Palmatier; sister Joanne Benedict Palumbo and her husband, Vincent; nieces and nephews Laura, Lisa, and Mario Palumbo; Nicholas and Mark Tkaczow, and their respective families. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Mildred Birdsall Wilber an d Doris Birdsall Manley, brother-in-law John Birdsall, and their respective families.
Kate is predeceased by parents Gould and Marguerite Holmes Benedict; infant brother Gould Benedict, Jr.; sister Elizabeth Benedict Tkaczow; sons Kim Birdsall and Thomas Birdsall; and great-grandson Ayden Palmatier.
Calling hours were held at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris on Monday from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. memorial service, also at the funeral home, to be officiated by Father Robert Witt, Rector of Zion Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at 13 Beech Street, Johnson City, New York 13790. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnstonfh.com.