Kathleen E. "Kitty" Christopher

Kathleen Eloise “Kitty” Christopher, 90, a lifelong resident of Lansing, NY, passed away peacefully at home on November 21, 2022.  Born October 18, 1932, in Caroline, NY, she was the daughter of the late Morris and Lua (Higgins) Sweetland.  Kitty graduated from Dryden High School in 1952 and married Rudolph Nicholas “Rudy” Christopher on December 31, 1953. Rudy and Kitty spent their entire marriage together in the home they built on Atwater Road.  In 1963, Rudy founded Cayuga Signs, Ithaca, NY, and Kitty served as the bookkeeper.  Her most important job, however, was being Mom to her four sons and helping raise countless children in Lansing as a daycare provider.

Kitty had a passion for raising chickens and a variety of other bird species, and was an avid gardner.  Rudy and Kitty enjoyed country dancing and were longtime members of the Polka Club in Elmira, NY. 

Kitty is survived by her loving and devoted family, including her husband, Rudy; children, Craig (Diane) of Lansing, Lee of Lansing, Darin (Mary Anne) of Pace, FL, and Scott (Therese) of Palm Harbor, FL; grandchildren, Paul, Karen (Calvin) Mathews, Nicholas, Kyle (Nikki), Ian and Meghan; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Kaleb Mathews, and Jayce, Olivia and Charlotte Christopher; sisters, Ann Marie Zeddies, Geraldine Walter and Mary Sweetland; and brother-in-law, Tony Vavra.  She was predeceased by her grandson, Samuel Christopher; brother, Clinton Sweetland; sister, Grace Vavra; and brother-in-law, Gary Zeddies.

In keeping with Kitty’s wishes, she will be buried in a private family ceremony at Calvary Cemetery, Ithaca, NY.

Kitty’s family is eternally greatful for the caregivers who made it possible for her to remain at home, especially her granddaughter, Karen, who was her biggest supporter.