Kathleen
C. Koepele, a cherished grandmother and warm soul, passed away
peacefully on May 7, 2025, in Waitsfield, Vt., at the age of 83. Born
on February 23, 1942, in Ohio to Charles and Julia Crone, Kathy lived
a life rich with intellectual pursuit, creative expression and deep
familial love.
Kathy
graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and earned advanced
degrees from the University of Chicago and Michigan State University.
A long-practicing psychoanalyst, she brought insight and healing to
countless lives, and her surviving family members, thanks to her
influence, are notably well balanced and productive members of
society, a testament to her skill and humor. After raising their
family in Michigan, Kathy and her husband, David, realized a dream by
moving to Vermont’s Green Mountains in 2006. The grandfatherly
mountains inspired her poetry, which captured the beauty of human
connection and the natural world.
Kathy
is survived by her husband, David; brother, Charles Crone, and his
wife, Janet; three sons, Eric (Rosemary), Patrick (Allison) and Steve
(Jennifer); and 13 grandchildren, Benjamin (Naomi), Cameron, Elijah,
Finnian, Grady, Louise, Maryelizabeth, Oren, Phoebe, Samantha,
Shannon, Tallulah and Timmeree, all listed in alphabetical, not
preferential, order. She took immense pride in her grandchildren,
striving to create a nurturing environment filled with joy and
creativity.
Her
poetry, a reflection of her soul, lives on. As she wrote in “REVERIE”
(2018):
“From
my chair by the fire, I spy your planked redwood picnic table, /
purchased by you in the 30’s, / on my porch, / waiting for me to
create for my grandchildren the kind of safe space you gave me.”
These
lines capture Kathy’s deep love for her grandchildren and her
commitment to fostering a legacy of care and connection. Her wisdom,
kindness and creativity will endure in the hearts of all who knew
her.
A
celebration of Kathy’s life will be held this summer. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service in her memory.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2025.
It is with great sadness that I learn about the death of Kathy. She was a teacher, mentor and friend for many years in East Lansing. She touched the lives of many, many men, women and children.