Kathryn "Kathy" J. Stitz

Kathryn Jean Stitz, "Kathy", age 46, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 after a hard-fought battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig disease. She was the loving daughter and only child of Mary Hulshoff Stitz and Leroy H. Stitz (Diana), who survive her. She is also survived by Aunts Barbara Hulshoff Cohn and Joan Hulshoff Fitzpatrick, and cousins Joe, Chrissie, Kevin, Brian, Matthew, Mark, Stephanie, and many Stitz relatives.

Kathy was born on August 13, 1976, at the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Glen Burnie, MD and in 1978 moved to Bel Air, MD where she resided until her death.

Kathy was a 1994 graduate of Bel Air High School, where she was a proud member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Cross Country team, and Varsity Track and Field team. She was passionate about education and graduated ranked 9th in her class of 289 students. She had many years of perfect attendance at school. Kathy graduated from Towson University in 2007.

Kathy's favorite fun activity was playing bingo. She was a regular player at Saint Francis De Sales Church bingo, Abingdon, MD for 23 years. She also enjoyed bingo at the Fallston Volunteer Fire Company. She found much pleasure in sending cards to friends and family.

Kathy enjoyed attending tennis and figure skating events. She really liked watching these two sports on television, also. She also loved playing softball in her younger years for the Emmorton Recreation Council Softball League and accumulated many softball trophies. Every year she was team pitcher.

Kathy loved visiting Ocean City, MD. Her latest visit there was in September 2022, and she thoroughly enjoyed this last trip to the beach. Feeding the seagulls on the beach was a lot of fun for Kathy.

During the period 2017 to 2020, Kathy was a volunteer at the Blood Drawing Station at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. She was also during this time a volunteer for the Harford County Public Library's Partners in Reading Program. The onset of the COVID pandemic combined with her deteriorating health prevented her from continuing to volunteer.

Kathy is also survived by her dear 15-year-old cat Hoppy, with whom she spent much time. Hoppy gave Kathy much joy and companionship.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, Inc., 610 W. MacPhail Rd. Bel Air, MD 21014, on Saturday March 25, 2023 from 10AM-11AM, where a Celebration of Kathy’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM.

Please omit flowers.

Donations can be made in Kathy's name to the Brigance Brigade Foundation, a local organization that assists those suffering from ALS. Their address is 10045 Red Run Blvd., Suite 130, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Donations in Kathy's name can also be made to the Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connolly Rd. Fallston, MD 21047. Online condolences may be left at www.schimunek-belair.com.