Obituaries

Katharine C. "Kate" Payne, 87 of Lansing, passed away August 10, 2016. Born in Towanda, PA on October 11, 1928, Kate was the daughter of the late Lawrence H. and Victoria (Jonas) Conlon, Sr.  A graduate of Waverly High School, Kate attended Keystone College where she earned her Associates degree in Medical Secretarial Science and met her future husband, Thomas G. Payne.  She then went on to earn her Bachelors of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1951.

In 1950 Kate and Tom were married and spent their summer in Ithaca, NY, which ultimately led them to the decision of settling in this area.  Kate valued her career as an elementary teacher with the Groton School District where she retired from in 1984. An active member of the Lansing United Methodist Church, Kate also enjoyed the role of church historian for many years, she was a member of the Haiti Committee and played in the Ithaca Concert Band.

Kate had a love of ballet and traveling with her good friend, Sally Guzetta; they visited many places together.  She also was an avid NY Mets fan.  Throughout their lives, Kate and Tom shared many trips together aboard their boat, the Cayuga Belle.   Kate was educated, informed and interested in what went on in the world, and she had a gift of sharing that knowledge with others through her stories; when she spoke, one eagerly listened and learned.

In addition to her parents, Kate was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas G. Payne, Sr., their son, Thomas G. Payne, Jr.; son in law, Roderick Holmes; a sister, Elizabeth Conlon Chambers; brother and sister in law, Lawrence "Pat" and Constance Conlon, Jr.; and brother in law, Jesse Payne.

Kate is survived by her daughter, Clare Holmes (Rick Brown) of Lansing, granddaughter, Jessica Holmes (Ethan Burnette) of Lansing; sister in law, Joan Payne; and many valued and loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  She was also blessed throughout her last year with a devoted caregiver, Kayla Armstrong.

A funeral service, officiated by Pastors Alison Schmied and Jane Sautter, will begin at 11am, Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Rd., Lansing.  A luncheon will follow.  Burial at Asbury Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to either Lansing United Methodist Church, or LUMC Haiti, both at 32 Brickyard Rd., Lansing, NY 14882.

Lansing Funeral Home is assisting the family.