Kathleen Patricia (Gorman) Sprague

After a long and fruitful life, Kathy left us on Friday, December 1st, 2023 to join her dear mother Mildred Carlough Gorman, father Daniel A. Gorman, and beloved husband of 61 years Michael A. Sprague; along with her cherished sisters Linda Gorman Sartori and Danilee Gorman Poppensiek (Neil). The Gorman Girls are together again!

Kathy is survived by her devoted son Jeffrey P. Sprague & wife Kathleen Stenger Sprague of Ellicott City, MD; and favorite daughter Karen L. Sprague & wife Sheila M. Scheerer of Wake Forest, NC; granddaughter Mary E. Sprague of Ellicott City, MD and step granddaughters Sheila Ann Fein of Wake Forest and Marisa Fein of Washington DC; lively brother-in-law Marco Sartori of Amenia, NY; as well as a plethora of loving nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Kathy came into this world on August 29, 1939. She spent her childhood in Ithaca, NY with plenty of fun trips to visit cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles in Peekskill and Montrose, NY. Kathy was living in Glenelg, MD at the residential care home, Second Home Senior Living, before she died. Despite her passing years and struggle with memory issues, she was a much loved and dearly missed inaugural resident, who kept everyone on their toes. It was abundantly clear that she was well taken care of and was eating the best food she didn’t have to cook herself. True to her nature, Kathy made friends and endeared herself with other residents and caregivers alike.

Growing up she pursued her love of nature and outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, and lake swimming as a member of the Girl Scouts of America. She also enjoyed ice skating and bowling and cross country skiing. A lifelong lover of animals, Kathy took horseback riding lessons through Cornell University when she was in her 40’s. She enjoyed learning the basic techniques of riding and caring for horses at the Cornell Polo Barns and went on to enjoy much longer trail rides along the woodland trails in Tompkins County. There was always a furry family member or two in Kathy & Mike’s home. We don’t know how many miles Kathy logged walking with her cherished canine chums, but she easily covered enough ground to make it to California and back. After moving to North Carolina in their later years, Kathy and Mike were frequent hosts of puppy playtimes. They opened their home/yard and hearts to litters of young pups in foster care with Saving Grace Animals for Adoption in Wake Forest, NC.

Kathy began her work life after graduating from Ithaca Sr. High School in 1957. She worked full and part time as a service representative for AT&T and finished out her working days at Instant Printing in Ithaca, NY until retirement.

Kathy was a much loved and genuinely liked stay-at-home mother during their children’s early years. She encouraged and facilitated fun, adventure, and creativity. She was pragmatic and loving and kind. Her love and caring nature extended out to her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren creating many lifelong happy memories for all. Kathy loved spending time with family and traveling. She and Mike traveled extensively throughout their decades-long marriage. A common destination was a visit to family who are spread all around the US, or visit interesting places with family and friends.

Kathy drew great pleasure working in her garden, planning and growing a variety of beautiful plants and flowers for humans and wildlife to enjoy and flourish. With her plants & flowers, she created backyard environments for kids and dogs to safely play in; and tranquil spaces for family to gather and people to sit and watch the birds, squirrels, deer, and other of Nature’s woodland creatures who stopped by to enjoy the habitat.

Kathy was a Girl Scout troop leader for Karen’s Brownie and Girl Scout troops. She coordinated camping trips, hikes, field trips for GS badge requirements, and ensured the little scouts in her care knew all the words to the many scouting songs.

Later in life, Kathy learned of and quickly joined a group of volunteers known as the City of Ithaca Citizen Pruners, whose mission was to keep the city trees and shrubbery maintained. It was a dream come true for Kathy as she had trimmed all the trees in her own yard with no other outlet for her tree maintenance passion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Monday, December 11, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca, NY with Fr. Augustine Chumo as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-5 pm on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green St., Ithaca, NY.

We miss her dearly. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in her name to: a local charity of your choosing; SPCA of Tompkins County, NY; or Cornell Lab of Ornithology; or Saving Grace Animals for Adoption in Wake Forest, NC to name just a few.