Kathleen Kathleen Kearns Berlepsch

Kathleen Karen (Kearns) Berlepsch, 55, of Chester, died peacefully, after a sudden illness, with her family at her side on Saturday, February 19, at Hartford Hospital. Born April 20, 1955, in Madison, Indiana, she was the daughter of Betty Claire Kearns, now of Bradenton, Florida, and her father, Ernest Kenneth Kearns, who died when she was young and she always missed dearly. Soon after graduating from Westbrook High School, Kathy was married on October 26, 1974, to the love of her life, Frederick “Chucky” Berlepsch, Jr. Their first home together was the “A-frame” on Cedar Lake in Chester, where they hosted many memorable events. They later bought a home on Pilot’s Point in Westbrook, where they lived for many years, and where Kathy loved spending time on the beach and driving around in her “Cuda” with the top down. Kathy gave birth in 1987 to their only child, Kenneth Berlepsch, to whom she was a devoted mother and loved with all her heart. In 1999, they moved back to Chester where Kathy built her “dream home” on the Berlepsch homestead. She loved spending time on her deck overlooking Evergreen Pond, entertaining her family and friends, listening to music, or just sitting quietly enjoying her flowers and watching the birds with her cocker spaniel, Precious, in her lap. Kathy was a dedicated worker and was employed at Grossman Chevrolet in Old Saybrook for several years, where she was friends with many co-workers. Kathy loved her trips to the casino, her visits to the beaches in Rhode Island, going to antique car shows, driving in fast cars, going to concerts, but most of all spending time with her family and friends and just having fun. Besides her loving mother, husband, and son, she is survived by her dear mother-in-law, Betty Berlepsch, her sisters-in-law Ethel Berlepsch, Donna Berlepsch and her partner Randy Wilson, Sharon Berlepsch, and a brother-in-law, Douglas Berlepsch. She was predeceased by her father, Ernest Kenneth Kearns, and her father-in-law, Frederick Berlepsch, Sr. Kathy leaves behind many very close, lifelong friends, whom she always considered part of her extended family and were always welcome in her home. Family will receive friends from 2 PM until the time of service at 4 PM Saturday, February 26, at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd. Old Saybrook CT. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to the Old Saybrook Ambulance Assoc., PO Box 437, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 in memory of Kathleen Berlepsch.