Obituary of Kathryn A. Ferris

Kathryn A. Kathy Ferris, 49, of Cortland NY, passed away May 11, 2010 at the Cortland Regional Medical Center. She was born November 16, 1960 in Cortland the daughter of George and Michelle Cardinal Ferris. Kathy was a lifelong resident of Cortland. She graduated from Cortland High School in 1978. She then went onto SUNY Cortland graduating in 1982 and began teaching at Cortland High School that same year until May 4, 2010. Kathy was a founding member of Tri-M, coached the Cortland High School Bowling Team for many years, and served as Advisor for the National Honor Society. She was an avid bowler, being the first woman in Cortland to bowl a perfect 300 game. She was inducted to the Seven Valley USBC Hall of Fame in 2004 and was a member of the 600 and 700 NYS Womens Bowling Clubs. Kathy was also an adjunct professor at SUNY Cortland since 1989. She will be remembered as a beloved teacher, mentor, and Mom to her students, as well as an invaluable member of the Cortland High School staff and community. She is survived by her mother Michelle Ferris of Cortland, her sister Alison Ferris of Cortland, her aunt Deidra (Duane) Taylor of Hartwell GA, her uncles Peter (Pam) Cardinal of St. Petersburg Fl, joseph Ferris of Syracuse NY, several great aunts, great uncles, and cousins. Kathryn was predeceased by her father George Ferris, grandparents Peter and Doris Cardinal and Frank and Julia Ferris. Calling hours will be Thursday (today) 3-8 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave Cortland NY. A funeral service will be held 11 am Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to the Kathryn A. Ferris Scholarship Fund, Att. Kenneth Brafman, 1 Valley View Dr., Cortland NY, 13045. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com Shelly my heart goes out to you I'm so sorry for your loss BarbAldrich He must have needed you up there for a reason, I know that you can never be replaced here for all that you have done for Roger and I and the whole community. We will truely miss you, and we will neverforget you. and your "girls". Brenda / Roger Allen Kathy was wonderful as a teacher and a "friend" to both of my daughters when they were in high school. Our family is praying for yours. Theresa Foster To the family of Ms Ferris, Please know how much her loss will be felt by the high school community. She was a wonderful teacher and advisor for the National Honor Society that both of my children experienced with her help. I hope you can realize how many lives she has impacted in such a powerful way in her time with us. My deepest sympathy goes out to you. Cheryl Jacob For over 20 yrs I consider myself blessed for having the pleasure of you as a good friend,some of my most favorite times were at the bowling alleys,also the periods of time you had been my sons teacher, I could go on forever, The heavens have a new star I will miss you until I see you on the next level. John Kehn I am so sorry for your loss of such an amazing daughter, sister, friend and teacher. She inspired and encouraged me while being my math teacher at CHS for three years. She cared beyond just being my teacher and became a friend. I'm extremely saddened that I am unable to attend the services due to college finals. She was such a strong individual and I'm sure she drew her strength from those around her. She will forever be in all of our hearts and her caring spirit will never fade. Brittany Foster My condolences to the Ferris family. Kathy was special to me, mainly because of her relationship with Anthony Pitts (recipient of my son Greg's scholarship). It was unique and understandably good for Anthony. Love, Angie Partigianoni Shelley & Alison, My deepest sympathy on your loss. Kathy was a great woman and a friend to all. Seems like just yesterday we were bowling together in Junior High. Know that she made an impact on everyone she met. Her spirit will live on in the lives of the students she touched. Ann Homer When none of it made any sense and just as I was about to lose Faith, GOD whispered in my ear "Heaven needed a hero". When I saw that, all I could think of was Kathy. She fought the good fight and touched us all in ways that will never be forgotten. Jill Sharp Such a beautiful person.. You gave a strong fight! May you rest in peace.. RIP Jaimie Clark Kathy was a very good friend and bowling mentor. She will be missed. --Lyn Smith I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Miss Ferris will always be remembered. She was vibrant and full of life. She was an amazing Teacher and Friend to all of her students. She will be sadly missed. With Sympathy, Steven Morey, CHS class of '87 I am so sorry for your loss. Kathy was always a pleasure to be around. She was a wonderful colleauge and a fine teacher that will be missed. Her dedication to our school was outstanding! Most sincerely, Tom Herting To Shelley and Alison - I'm so sorry to hear this shocking news. Kathy was both a friend and colleague to me and I know she fought a brave battle. Please accept my deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight at the calling hours even though I can't be. Florie Hage I can't begin to imagine your pain over Kathy's death. Please know that I am thinking of you and hoping that, over time, all of your fond memories of Kathy help to diminish some of that pain. I am glad to see that there will be a scholarship fund started at the Cortland High School. That's a wonderful, tangible reminder of Kathy's life and spirit. Munna Rubaii I would like to express my deep condolences to all friends and family. Kathy was an important member of our community, and she touched the lives of many. I will keep you in my thoughts. Kathy Russell Kathy will be greatly missed at the high school. She was an amazing lady who demonstrated a strength that we all can learn from. We are blessed to have known her. We can rest knowing that she is in a better place, with no pain or suffering. God bless her family. Charles Petit The Family and Friends of Mrs. Ferris will be in our thoughts and prayers. My son is a student at Cortland Jr/Sr high school and thougt very highly of Mrs.Ferris,She will be missed by many. Melissa Lang ..Kathy's gift of reaching students will live on in the many people whose lives she touched and inspired. We saw definite evidence of this in the way Kathy instilled in our daughter Martha a great love of math. Kathy presented math in such a fascinating way it led Martha to major in math in college. Kathy's love of teaching was also so evident in her decision to teach until May 4,2010. Her cheerful spirit and dedication to education and helping students will be greatly missed. She was a beautiful lady. Our prayers an gratitude to all her family. Tony and Ruth Papalia Ms. Ferris was the first teacher we had in Junior High. I think from the moment we met her, she touched our lives. We will never forget her caring and bubbly personality. She even made first period math fun. Ms. Ferris is truly one of the strongest and most loving people we have ever met. We'll always remember all that she did for us, and think of her every time we see Winnie the Pooh. We all love you very much Ms. Ferris. Emma Cleary and Margaret Hoeschele Dear Shelly and Alison, I am so sorry for your unspeakable loss. Love, Jack Carr .We are out of town and just learned that Kathy has passed. Please accept our heartfelt condolences . we will be touch upon our return. You are in our prayers. Fran and Andy Chernow We were saddened to hear of the loss of your daughter,sister, and friend. Kathy was a great teacher to both our children while they were at CHS.We are thinking of you all at this difficult time. The Mondanaro's .I would like to pass along my condolences to your family at this terrible time. Ms. Ferris was a brilliant teacher, a wonderful person and a great mentor. She was the one person in my high school years that made me want to be more than I thought I could be. She pushed you to limits that you had no idea you could achieve. And you basked in the glory when you received her recognition. She will be greatly missed by all her former and current students. Shannon Main Dankert So sorry for your loss. Sylvia Butler, Kathy Stevens [Thurs. night Izaak Walton bowling league Our son Victor had Ms Ferris last year as a 7th grader for accelerated math...we firmly believe that her enthusiasm and love shaped his whole experience at the "big school". Beginning his day with a teacher who so obviously loved what she did and the people that she did it with was a blessing to everyone who came in contact with her. She helped to shape so many young lives that I am sure there is a special place for her in heaven. Our very deepest sympathies. The McCutcheon Family .My deepest sympathy, your losss is shared by so many that Kathryn touched. Her wit, personality and dedication to her students made her special. She will be missed by all and I will always remember her as my friend and my first "stalker" lol. God bless your family Sandy Finkelstein I would like to express my deep condolences to all friends and family. Kathy was an important member of our community, and she touched the lives of many. I will keep you in my thoughts. Kathy Russell Kathy will be greatly missed at the high school. She was an amazing lady who demonstrated a strength that we all can learn from. We are blessed to have known her. We can rest knowing that she is in a better place, with no pain or suffering. God bless her family. Charles Petit The Family and Friends of Mrs. Ferris will be in our thoughts and prayers. My son is a student at Cortland Jr/Sr high school and thougt very highly of Mrs.Ferris,She will be missed by many. Melissa Lang Our thoughts and prayers are with you the family of Kathy. Kathy was a wonderful asset to the school community, both as a teacher and a person. I count it a privilege to have been a co-worker and friend of Kathy. Again ... our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness. Dave and Bonnie Newton Again ... our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness. Dave and Bonnie Newton Sending thoughts and prayers to your family at the time of your loss. Dan and Candy Farris + family Our deepest sympathies. Kathy will be missed by so many. Cortland Area Retired Teachers' Association I was so sorry to hear about Kathryn's death. My deepest condolences to the Ferris family. Faye Ferris Grandall Alison, We wanted to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. Your sister fought a brave battle. With heartfelt sympathies, The McDonald Family McGraw, NY My deepest condolences to the family of Kathy Ferris. As a felloe coach with Kathy she impacted the lives of her bowlers and other coaches. She was a true friend and will be missed. John Pizzuto I had the pleasure to get to know Kathy as a coach in the OHSL and section coordinator. Im sad to hear of her passing and wish her family well. She will be missed. Marty Piraino My prayers and thoughts are with Kathy's lovely family. Kathy was a friend thru high school bowling. She helped me many times and i will miss that laughter. Cynthia Losurdo We were so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. She has been such a blessing to everyone who has known her. Unfortunately we were unable to attend her services and offer our condolences in person but we wanted to be sure to let you all know just how much she has influenced us. Kathy was such a fighter and such an inspiration to us. My mom (Beth-Judie's mom) is currently fighting breast cancer and possibly lung cancer as well. Kathy never gave up- She kept on working, kept up hope, kept encouraging others and kept teaching her students that you never give up! She will be missed BUT she will live on in the minds and spirits of all of us who knew and loved her. Thank you for sharing her with us! God bless you all. And God Bless Kathy now that she is at peace. Love the Murphy Family- Tom, Judie, Adrianna, Kaedyn and Thomas Shelley, we were so surprised and sorry to hear of Kathy's death. She was a wonderful person and so loved by her students. She will be missed by so many, but the memories of her will live on forever. Our prayers are with you and Alison. - Sam and Carol Sonnacchio