Obituary for Kathy A. LaPan
Kathy (Fulmer) LaPan, 63 returned to her heavenly home on February 22, 2021 after a valiant battle with cancer. Her devotion to family and friends and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. She is now an angel in Heaven joining her father on earth and her Lord in heaven.
Kathy was born to Samuel and Marie Fulmer on August 3, 1957 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. As a military child she spent her early years living in many states until settling in Saginaw, MI, attending Eisenhower H.S. and Delta College, where she earned her degree in Computer Programing. After marrying her former husband Dennis LaPan, they moved to Florida where she raised one son, Joseph, the light of her life. Kathy cherished her role as mother and recently the role of grandma to her sweet Kylee.
In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother and grandma, Kathy had a successful career as a Programmer Analyst for 27 years with HPS where she made many lifelong friends, and then most recently worked at Insurance Administrative Solutions in Tampa, FL. Coworkers described Kathy as the ultimate professional who would drop everything to help a coworker with a problem or be the first one to help make someone’s day special with a kind word, an infectious laugh or practical joke. Kathy loved her coworkers and felt blessed to have so many wonderful people who were like family in her life.
Kathy was a devote Catholic throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She enjoyed her Bible Study groups. She also loved scrapbooking, producing beautiful books of memories that she shared with those she loved. Through not an athlete, Kathy did take up marathon running and competed in many 5k races. She enjoyed the celebratory beer as much as the medal for completing such a feat. She felt the race was nothing compared to cancer, and she was determined to win. But as her companions would agree, Kathy never did anything half way she always found the fun in anything she did and invited others to join her. She was an includer and made sure everyone felt welcome to join along. As a resident of Tampa Bay and a NFL football fan, Kathy was delighted with the recent success and championship of the Buccaneers.
Kathy is preceded in death by her father, Samuel Fulmer, grandparents Peter and Barbara Hasenfratz, Dorthey Cottrell and Gerald Fulmer, Aunt and Uncle Sue and Tony Perriello, and former husband Dennis LaPan. Surviving her, is her mother Marie Fulmer of Saginaw, MI, Son Joseph (Jennifer) LaPan, and granddaughter Kylee LaPan of San Diego, CA, Brothers Russell (Suzanne) Fulmer of Brighton, MI, Richard (Susan) Fulmer of St. Charles, MI, Marshall (Susan) Fulmer of Saginaw, MI, Jerry Fulmer of Frankenmuth, MI, sister Rose (James) Schoonmaker of Ten Mile, TN, and a host of loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and longtime friends from around the country.
Kathy will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, friend and mother, the ultimate professional, creative crafter, funny, spiritual, loyal, supportive, and gifted with a fun-loving personality that drew people to her.
The family would like to thank The Care Team hospice staff who took great care of her. Most especially, Blair Johnson who’s loving care and support will never be forgotten.
Kathy’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. She didn’t want people to be sad with her passing but remember that she cherished and was joyful about having had a full life. Kathy’s life was successful because of the lives she touched and the difference she made to those who knew her.
Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:3o a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5376 State Street. Rev. Fr. Richard Bokinskie will officiate. Private burial will take place in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. In accordance with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ordinance, the limitation of number gathered, mask wearing and social distancing will be observed. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Care Team Hospice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd.
Exodus 23:20
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.”
Kathy was born to Samuel and Marie Fulmer on August 3, 1957 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. As a military child she spent her early years living in many states until settling in Saginaw, MI, attending Eisenhower H.S. and Delta College, where she earned her degree in Computer Programing. After marrying her former husband Dennis LaPan, they moved to Florida where she raised one son, Joseph, the light of her life. Kathy cherished her role as mother and recently the role of grandma to her sweet Kylee.
In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother and grandma, Kathy had a successful career as a Programmer Analyst for 27 years with HPS where she made many lifelong friends, and then most recently worked at Insurance Administrative Solutions in Tampa, FL. Coworkers described Kathy as the ultimate professional who would drop everything to help a coworker with a problem or be the first one to help make someone’s day special with a kind word, an infectious laugh or practical joke. Kathy loved her coworkers and felt blessed to have so many wonderful people who were like family in her life.
Kathy was a devote Catholic throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. She enjoyed her Bible Study groups. She also loved scrapbooking, producing beautiful books of memories that she shared with those she loved. Through not an athlete, Kathy did take up marathon running and competed in many 5k races. She enjoyed the celebratory beer as much as the medal for completing such a feat. She felt the race was nothing compared to cancer, and she was determined to win. But as her companions would agree, Kathy never did anything half way she always found the fun in anything she did and invited others to join her. She was an includer and made sure everyone felt welcome to join along. As a resident of Tampa Bay and a NFL football fan, Kathy was delighted with the recent success and championship of the Buccaneers.
Kathy is preceded in death by her father, Samuel Fulmer, grandparents Peter and Barbara Hasenfratz, Dorthey Cottrell and Gerald Fulmer, Aunt and Uncle Sue and Tony Perriello, and former husband Dennis LaPan. Surviving her, is her mother Marie Fulmer of Saginaw, MI, Son Joseph (Jennifer) LaPan, and granddaughter Kylee LaPan of San Diego, CA, Brothers Russell (Suzanne) Fulmer of Brighton, MI, Richard (Susan) Fulmer of St. Charles, MI, Marshall (Susan) Fulmer of Saginaw, MI, Jerry Fulmer of Frankenmuth, MI, sister Rose (James) Schoonmaker of Ten Mile, TN, and a host of loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and longtime friends from around the country.
Kathy will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, friend and mother, the ultimate professional, creative crafter, funny, spiritual, loyal, supportive, and gifted with a fun-loving personality that drew people to her.
The family would like to thank The Care Team hospice staff who took great care of her. Most especially, Blair Johnson who’s loving care and support will never be forgotten.
Kathy’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. She didn’t want people to be sad with her passing but remember that she cherished and was joyful about having had a full life. Kathy’s life was successful because of the lives she touched and the difference she made to those who knew her.
Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:3o a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5376 State Street. Rev. Fr. Richard Bokinskie will officiate. Private burial will take place in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. In accordance with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ordinance, the limitation of number gathered, mask wearing and social distancing will be observed. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Care Team Hospice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd.
Exodus 23:20
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.”