Kathleen Spence

Kathleen "Tye" Deyo Brady Spence, age 85, of Ithaca, NY, formerly of Binghamton, NY and Sarasota, FL, passed away on January 9, 2013. Tye was born on July 30, 1927 in Binghamton, the daughter of the late Dr. Leo R. Brady and Laura Deyo Brady. Tye graduated from Binghamton High School, Triple Cities College/Syracuse University (B.S.) and The State University of Cortland (M.S.) with a certification in Elementary Education. She married John A. Spence II in Waterloo, NY in 1948. Tye taught for the Johnson City School District at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, where she pioneered and developed the pre-first grade concept as an intervention for students who were lacking in school readiness. She retired from teaching in 1982 and, in retirement, served as a docent for the Roberson Museum in Binghamton. A prolific and creative knitter, Tye was also a lover of antiques, books, crossword puzzles, cards and chocolate cookies, and a leader in forming the exercise group "Swimmin' Women" after relocating to The Meadows in Sarasota, Florida with John, where they spent their later years among many very good friends. After her husband's death in 2001, Tye continued to enjoy life in Florida until 2009 when she moved to Ithaca to be near her boys, living first at Longview and finally at Oak Hill Manor. Family and friends will remember her for her practical wisdom, loyalty, kindness, graciousness, generosity and great sense of style.
Tye is survived by her children and their spouses, Jeffrey S. Spence (Lisa Harris) of Ithaca, NY and John A. Spence III (Carol Spence) of Newfield, NY, as well as her grandchildren Sarina (Dan) Sullivan of Quincy, MA, Sarah R. (Craig) Kitchner, Revere, MA, her great-grandchildren John A. "Jack" Sullivan, Keon, Aniah, and Carolina Kitchner, her brother Leo R. "Rusty" and Carole Brady of Binghamton, and her nieces, Alison (Paul) Beikirch and Jennifer (Duane) Dennison and their children. Sadly, she was predeceased by her twenty-four year old nephew David Brady in 1989.
Friends are invited to calling hours at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green Street in Ithaca, NY between 2:00 and 3:00 on January 20 with a celebration of Tye's life following until 4:00. In lieu of flowers, please remember her by making a donation to The Family Reading Partnership, 54 Gunderman Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, to honor Tye's work promoting literacy.