Obituary of Kathleen L. Kent

Olean- Kathleen Louise Kent Kathleen L. Kent, 98 passed away peacefully on Saturday August 27, 2022 after a brief, non-COVID illness. Born on February 13,1924 in Detroit Michigan, she spent the first three years of her childhood on Roselawn Avenue as her parents, Clara Margaret (Zaph) and Martin Albert McGovern adjusted to life after World War I as her father had taken a job at the Ford Motor Plant in Dearborn, MI. The family returned to Olean where she attended St. Mary of the Angels, and then on scholarship to St Elizabeth’s Academy and graduating from Olean Senior High School in 1941. While at St Elizabeth’s she became Third Order Franciscan and dedicated to a lifelong commitment of specific daily prayer. As devote and faithful Roman Catholic she attended mass at the Basilica of St. Mary’s of the Angels until 2020 Pandemic interrupted and then continued with her faith remotely. On July 30, 1949, in the rectory of St Mary’s, Fr Buccheit performed the marriage ceremony for Kathleen to Robert Max Kent, a Methodist who grew up on Orchard Ave in Olean. In those times a non-Catholic was not permitted to be married inside the Catholic church. Later with Kathleen’s assistance Bob was baptized into the Catholic Church. Family and friends easily recall her husband, Bob sharing glorious stories about Kathleen who he loved and adored. Together, Kathleen and he had 2 children, the first, Robert Max in 1953 and then Colleen Marie in 1964. Kathleen was very determined in spirit and strength as she suffered three miscarriages between the births of her children and it was her faith in God that helped her through those times. In 1979 Kathleen fought and survived an aggressive form of breast cancer and, even though she did not consider herself to be, was an inspiration to other women. Friends and family knew her as an avid baker. She loved sharing treats from the oven and when returning home from a recent hospitalization was looking forward to triumphantly sharing a batch of lemon cookies with her beloveds. Her bookshelves were filled with American revolutionary war authors, cookbooks, John Grisham books, and works of non-fiction. She would stay up late at night to read until early morning and when her sight in her early 90s made it too challenging to read she switched to her iPad which she had with her day and night. After assisting her husband through a long battle of renal failure, Bob predeceased her March 29, 2007. She was also predeceased by her only sibling, Jacquiline Marie Kamery in 1970 and her brother-in-law, Darrell Kamery in 2004 and additionally brothers/sisters-in law, William and Julia Kent, Keith and Connie Kent, Richard and Gert Kent, and John Kent. Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Colleen; son and daughter-in law, R Max and Debra (Donigan) Kent; and beloved first cousins, Diana Foskit and Linda Howard; and many nieces and nephews. Even in her last week, Kathleen was quick witted, spry and up on current events. She would sit at the dinner table and recall poems and songs that she loved and considered herself to be very bored during the Pandemic. Her untimely death was due to complication after a heart procedure (TAVR) to correct a faulty heart valve. She will be deeply missed by those who knew her directly and indirectly. Friends will be received on Friday September 2, 2022 at the Basilica of St Mary’s of the Angels followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Per the family’s request, please wear a mask and social distance. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com