Kathy Kempenaar “KK” Sundin, 54, of Newport, RI died Sunday July 26, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her family and close friends, after a two year battle with cancer.
Born October 7, 1960 in Newport, RI, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Catherine (Crombie) Kempenaar.
She leaves behind her loving husband Fredrick Sundin.
A native to Middletown, RI, she received her bachelors from Salve Regina and continued to get her masters from Providence College. Early on she worked in the family business, Kempenaar Real Estate, before becoming a teacher at Portsmouth Middle School. Afterwards she became a guidance counselor at Melville School in Portsmouth, RI and then Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, FL. Most recently, she worked at Tiverton Middle School. Throughout her career in the school departments she made a great impact on the many students she loved working with.
Kathy had the ability to leave an unforgettable mark on those she met throughout her life. Her vibrant, loyal and selfless personality was what made anyone lucky to have known her. She truly was a second mom to her children’s close friends and helped anyone in need. Kathy had a passion for animals, especially horses and dogs, and was involved with a local dog rescue.
In addition to her husband, Fredrick Sundin, she is survived by her daughter, Alexandra Healy, and her son, Trevor Healy, his wife Vicki, and their son Logan, all of Newport, RI. She is also survived by her two step daughters, Colleen Ogren, her husband Daniel, and their daughters, Kaylee and Meghan of Minnesota, and Caitlin Sundin, of Massachusetts.
Kathy leaves behind a brother, Robert “Rocky” Kempenaar, his wife Linda of Middletown, RI, daughter Kajsa Kempenaar Doyle and husband Ryan, also from Middletown, RI, his two step daughters Monique Frost and her husband Kevin, and Chantal Gaston, all from Florida. She also has two sisters, Carol Kempenaar and her husband Hans Cortsen, of Boynton Beach, FL, her two sons, Vaughan Dugan and his wife Angela, and Robert Lazar and his wife Michele, Shirley Peterson, and her husband Allen, of Alabama, and their daughter Katie DeCosta of Portsmouth, RI. In addition, she leaves behind four grandnieces, a grandnephew, many cousins, and close lifelong friends.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015, from 4:00-8:00pm on at the Hambly Funeral Home, “Brick House”, 30 Red Cross Ave, Newport.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at 9am from the Hambly Funeral Home, “Brick House” followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Joseph’s Church, Broadway and Mann Avenue, Newport, RI.
Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Northbound Pound Puppies, PO Box 4676, Middletown, RI 02842. www.northboundpoundpuppies.org/donate
