Kathleen 'Petey', 'Peachy' Horsman

Kathleen “Petey,” “Peachy,” Horsman, 91, formerly of Camillus, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in Norristown, Pennsylvania at the home of her daughter, Nancy Houyoux. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Wednesday, December 26, 1917, she was the daughter of Martin August and Alice Catherine Gilmartin Greven and granddaughter of Edward J. and Catherine Lynch Gilmartin, founders of Gilmartin Lumber Company. Kathleen resided in Fort Wayne until 1950 and again for a short time in 1962. She was an active member of the Fort Wayne Newcomers Club with her aunt, Marie Kane. Petey was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church, Camillus and formerly of St. Charles Borromeo Church, Westvale. She was active in the community including Scouts, Community General Hospital and the Centralized Committee for the Westhill Central School District. Throughout her life, Peachy was active in her church and community, tirelessly giving of herself for the benefit of others. Kathleen was among three women to petition the New York State Education Commissioner proposing a centralization of Westvale schools and another district to offer K to 12 programs to its students. She then served on the Publicity Committee for the newly formed Westhill Central School District. Kathleen was predeceased by her devoted husband, Robert “RB,” “Bev,” in 2005; and son, William Patrick. Surviving are her daughters and son-in-law, Susan Hart of Rensselaer and Nancy and Richard Houyoux of Norristown, Pennsylvania; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Grace of Charlotte, North Carolina, Richard and Ellen of Olympia, Washington and James and Jody of Camillus; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and much-loved nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 in St. Joseph’s Church. Kathleen will be laid to rest in Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home. Contributions in Kathleen’s name may be made to St. Joseph's Church, 5600 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031 or Camillus Canal Society, Inc., c/o Joan Hanchett, 5459 Pebble Beach Dr., Camillus, NY 13031, or to Catholic Charities, 315 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802.