Kathleen M. Lum

Kathleen “Kitty” Lum passed peacefully at 79 years old on May 9, 2022.

Predeceased by her parents, Robert and Anne Kinsella, her beloved sister Joan, and her dear nephews Robert Cocilova and Robert Knapp. Kitty is survived by Ted, her loving husband of almost 60 years, her seven reasonably well-adjusted children Kathleen (Greg Godwin), Tim (Nancy McKnight), Margaret (Michael Foley), Kerry (Mark Morin), Matthew (Sharon), Michael (Tia), and Brigid (Edward McClenathan). She will also be dearly missed by her siblings and their spouses: Robert Kinsella (Pattie), Jack Kinsella (Ann), Tom Kinsella (Lynne) and Barb Knapp (Rob). She was blessed with seventeen grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Julia, Michael, Flor, Juan, Angel, Alejandro, Max, Aidan, Chloe, Katharine, Ewan, Fiona, Maira, Marla, Blaine, Ellery, and Kerry. Kitty also enjoyed the love of her treasured nieces and nephews. And her many close friends from the Sacred Heart community and the Tenth Ward were always a great source of joy to her and the family.

Kitty was born and raised in the Maplewood neighborhood where she went to school, met Ted and raised her seven children. Although she would have self-deprecatingly rebuffed such a title, she was one of the notable matriarchs of the neighborhood. Somehow, she heroically balanced night school, work and seven children of varying needs and dispositions. Kitty slept very little for most of the 1970s and 80s and ultimately, she achieved a Master’s degree at the age of 50. She was deeply involved, both as a volunteer and professionally, in the Rochester city schools, specifically in early childhood education. She inspired many young mothers by example and spirit, helping them to also balance school, work and raising a family.

She was funny. And she laughed. Kitty could tell a great story and if it involved her own failings and miscues, all the better. She was simply easy to be around and had the gift of making even strangers comfortable in her gentle presence.

Generally, you did not invoke Kitty’s name without also saying “Ted.” It was “Kitty and Ted” or “Ted and Kitty.” A classic pairing, they will always belong together, in this world and the next.

Calling hours: Friday, May 27, 3:00-7:00, Farrell-Ryan Funeral Home
Mass: Saturday, May 28, 9:30am, Saint Margaret Mary Church, 401 Rogers Parkway, Irondequoit
Celebration: Saturday, May 28, immediately following the burial, Camp Eastman, 1301 Lakeshore Blvd., Irondequoit
In Kitty's memory, please consider bringing a children's book on May 27 or 28. Books will be donated to Nazareth Elementary School.