Obituary of Catherine M. Couse

Catherine Mary (Kate) Couse, 51, of Albany, died Sunday, February 23, 2003, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, after a long battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her father, Conway Couse; and her stepfather, Dirk Romaine. She is survived by her very special daughter, Elizabeth Ling Couse; her mother, Mary R. Romaine, Binghamton; her sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Tim Grippen, Binghamton; and her niece, Kara Grippen; her sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Michael Crooks, Sumter, S.C.; her nephews, Jesse and Drew Crooks; her uncle, John Couse, Binghamton; her aunt and uncle, Walter and Joan Relihan, Ithaca; as well as numerous cousins and many, many dear friends in Binghamton and Albany. Kate graduated from Binghamton Central High School and then received her BA in English and her Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany. She was currently employed as a Project Director at the New York State Department of Children and Families. She was also an accomplished writer who published several short stories. Kate loved to read and listen to music. She was an avid sun worshipper who loved the ocean breezes. She spent many summer days at the beaches in Cape May, N.J., Holden Beach, N.C., and along the coast of Maine. Funeral and interment services will be held at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, Wednesday at 2 p.m. Rev. Ernest A. Steffensen will officiate. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Owego, in the spring. The family will receive friends at the McCormack Funeral Home Wednesday, from 12 Noon until service time at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy in memory of Kate be made to Binghamton High School Dollars for Scholars Fund, PO Box 272, Southview Station, Binghamton, N.Y. 13903.