Dr. Kathryn Mary (Hanlon) Blanchard, or Kathy to those closest to her, passed away on August 19, 2026 at the age of 83. She was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and friend whose faith was the underlying force beneath all she did.

Kathryn was born in Auburn, New York on March 4th, 1943, to her parents Mary (Ryan; d.2000) and Joseph Hanlon (d.1991). The second of four children, Kathy was loved and cherished by her siblings Kerry (d.1995), Karen, and David. At 19, she met Charles “Gary” Blanchard (d.2013), whom she would share her life and love with for 48 years. She was the proud and loving mother of four children, Karen, Kristin, John, and Jeffrey. Her 11 grandchildren were some of her greatest joys, and she made every effort to attend their graduations, sporting events, and award ceremonies.

After graduating high school, Kathy attended LeMoyne College in Syracuse for her bachelor’s degree, a school that remained close to her heart for all of her life. She graduated college in 1965, and shortly thereafter attended Syracuse University to achieve her Master’s degree in Education. An avid learner and lover of education, Kathy was an elementary school teacher for more than 25 years guiding countless children to an understanding and love of reading and learning. After moving to Houston, she earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Houston in 1993, which allowed her to pursue her passion of teaching future teachers for another 20 years.

For more than sixty years, she spent her summers on Otisco Lake in upstate New York, which brought her a tremendous amount of peace and joy. Following her retirement in 2014, Kathy began to pour her time and love into other things that fueled her: her family and her faith. She traveled to The Holy Land, Rome, Alaska, and France, combining her love of God and her love of learning in trips she raved about for years.

Kathy made the brave decision to undergo open heart surgery because she loved her life so much that she was hopeful for another 10 to 15 years. She leaves behind a legacy of love, ambition, education, and intention, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph, her older brother Kerry, and her husband Gary.

She is survived by her sister Karen, brother David (Winnie), children Karen (Michael; grandchildren Zacchaeus, Joey and Tre), Kristin (Michael; grandchildren Brandon and Dylan), John (Nicole; grandchildren Chelsey, Carleigh and Ashe), and Jeffrey (Amy; grandchildren Mary, Bridget, Beaux and Aaron), and five nephews, a niece, many cousins, godchildren, friends, and all those touched by her education and love.

In Texas:

Tuesday, August 25

Rosary Service 1:00-1:30 PM

Visitation/Calling hours 1:30-3:00 PM

Ramsey Funeral Home

Georgetown, TX

In New York:

Friday, August 28

Calling hours 4:00-7:00 PM

Eaton-Tubs Funeral Home

Fayetteville, NY

Saturday, August 29

Funeral Mass 10:00 AM

Immaculate Conception Church

Fayetteville, NY

Burial Service to follow, Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Baldswinsville, NY

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Kathryn’s name to an organization that was close to her heart.

Unbound

www.unbound.org

Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church Outreach and Food Pantry Ministries

Srdl-cc.org/donate