Kathryn Lamphier passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 28th, 2019 after a long, brave fight against cancer. Her family wishes to thank all of the comforting and caring doctors and nurses that helped to care for Kathy over the last year and a half. The family would also like to thank Casa Sandoval and Paula for providing her a home and allowing her to be closer to her family during the last four months of her life. Although cancer was difficult for Kathy, as she valued her independence, she relied on her faith & family to laugh her way through such a difficult time.
Kathy enjoyed her last Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by her loving family. Kathy is survived by her brother, Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, her daughter & son-in-law, Julie & Jim Nathan, her son, Jon DeForest, her grandchildren, Jeremy Rommelfanger & Jenna Nathan, as well as many cousins, close friends and her extended family through her Catholic faith.
Kathy was born March 13th,1952 in Oakland, California, the first child of Martha and Francis Keyes. She was raised in Hayward where she was active in aquatic sports at the Tennyson Swim Club, even serving as a lifeguard. After graduating from Tennyson High School in 1970, she married her high school sweetheart, Rich DeForest, on December 4th, 1971 and settled in Union City to raise their two children. In her mid-forties she went back to school and graduated with honors from Holy Names University in Oakland.
Kathy worked in many professional capacities. She was a dental assistant in Milpitas, an Insurance Account Executive in San Francisco, a Medical Insurance Broker in Fresno and a small business owner of her own cleaning company. In addition, she also served on the board of her BNI group. Always full of laughter and joy, she loved to travel, shaking the Pope's hand while visiting the Vatican and ‘hurling’ in Ireland with her brother, Jeff. A long time Giant's fan, she had many memorable A's games on Mother's Day with her son Jon, including a perfect game. Kathy and her daughter, Julie, both loved Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac music and enjoyed many concerts together. She treasured the fact that she got to see her granddaughter, Jenna, take her first breath and loved watching her play countless softball games. She also loved starting off each New Year with her grandson, Jeremy, eating steak dinners she made and watching movies (a 14-year tradition). She was an avid animal lover having owned many Shelties & cats over the years (especially Chelsea, Max & Gabby).
We will always remember her selflessness, willingness to give, sincerity in her convictions, however unpopular, her genuine smile and her endless love for her children and grandchildren, spending countless weekends traveling to be with them wherever they were. As a result of how she lived her life and through the example she showed when caring for her own ill mother, her children, Julie and Jon, battled alongside Kathy in her journey against cancer and in the end, never left her side.
Family and friends are invited to her services as follows: Vigil at Holy Sepulchre Funeral Home, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward, Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 @7:00 pm. Viewing from 4-8:00 pm. Holy Mass at All Saints Catholic Church, 22824 Second Street, Hayward, Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 at 10:30 am. Please remember her and keep her in your heart forever.
Kathy enjoyed her last Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by her loving family. Kathy is survived by her brother, Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, her daughter & son-in-law, Julie & Jim Nathan, her son, Jon DeForest, her grandchildren, Jeremy Rommelfanger & Jenna Nathan, as well as many cousins, close friends and her extended family through her Catholic faith.
Kathy was born March 13th,1952 in Oakland, California, the first child of Martha and Francis Keyes. She was raised in Hayward where she was active in aquatic sports at the Tennyson Swim Club, even serving as a lifeguard. After graduating from Tennyson High School in 1970, she married her high school sweetheart, Rich DeForest, on December 4th, 1971 and settled in Union City to raise their two children. In her mid-forties she went back to school and graduated with honors from Holy Names University in Oakland.
Kathy worked in many professional capacities. She was a dental assistant in Milpitas, an Insurance Account Executive in San Francisco, a Medical Insurance Broker in Fresno and a small business owner of her own cleaning company. In addition, she also served on the board of her BNI group. Always full of laughter and joy, she loved to travel, shaking the Pope's hand while visiting the Vatican and ‘hurling’ in Ireland with her brother, Jeff. A long time Giant's fan, she had many memorable A's games on Mother's Day with her son Jon, including a perfect game. Kathy and her daughter, Julie, both loved Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac music and enjoyed many concerts together. She treasured the fact that she got to see her granddaughter, Jenna, take her first breath and loved watching her play countless softball games. She also loved starting off each New Year with her grandson, Jeremy, eating steak dinners she made and watching movies (a 14-year tradition). She was an avid animal lover having owned many Shelties & cats over the years (especially Chelsea, Max & Gabby).
We will always remember her selflessness, willingness to give, sincerity in her convictions, however unpopular, her genuine smile and her endless love for her children and grandchildren, spending countless weekends traveling to be with them wherever they were. As a result of how she lived her life and through the example she showed when caring for her own ill mother, her children, Julie and Jon, battled alongside Kathy in her journey against cancer and in the end, never left her side.
Family and friends are invited to her services as follows: Vigil at Holy Sepulchre Funeral Home, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward, Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 @7:00 pm. Viewing from 4-8:00 pm. Holy Mass at All Saints Catholic Church, 22824 Second Street, Hayward, Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 at 10:30 am. Please remember her and keep her in your heart forever.
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