Kathryn Eileen Powell (née Jacobs), known to friends and family as Kathy, was born in Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland Ohio to Emil Carl Jacobs and Elsa Emily Jacobs (née Lambrecht). Growing up in Rocky River Kathy enjoyed movies, roller skating, climbing trees, catching fireflies, and playing at a nearby beach. On her father's insistence, she received a Christian education, attending St. Paul's Lutheran School (where she was confirmed), and Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, IN, and earned a B.A. in English from Case Western University in 1955.

Music had always been an important part of Kathy's life. In high school she sang in the choir and learned to play piano. When the family moved to Virginia she sang with a community chorus in Essex County, the Richmond Symphony chorus, and CAFUR (Chorus of Alumni and Friends of the University of Richmond). She participated in a chorus exchange with a chorus from Genoa, Italy. As a teacher at St. Margaret's School she performed in three musicals, including the role of Mother Superior in The Sound of Music. She also served as Choir Director of Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church. Kathy grew to recognize the quality of her own voice, and her favorite solo was "Pie Jesu" from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem.

Kathy had many talents and was always ready to accept new challenges. Aside from the responsibilities of raising three children, she worked as a teacher, administrator, bookkeeper, census worker, and insurance agent. Her hobbies included music (of course), gardening, golf, traveling, cooking, and reading. She loved good literature, particularly good poetry. Her favorite poem was "The Daffodil Poem" ("I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud") by William Wordsworth.

Kathy and her husband Doug moved to Cornwall Manor, PA in 2014 to be closer to family. They lived happily there and were very active in church and community. Kathy died on February 7, 2024 having lived a full and joyful life. She is survived by her husband Doug, her children - Jon Schaeffer, Laura Thorpe and her husband William, Matt Schaeffer and his wife Hyesun - and her grandson James Schaeffer.

A memorial service will be celebrated on May 18 at 11 a.m. at the Levi Zerr Chapel in Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, PA (for exact location go to https://maps.app.goo.gl/nwqt5JHS4BSv5yCZA).  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kathryn's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York NY 10001.

Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements.  Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com