Kathleen Thelma Babits, 85, of Burlington, Vt., passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, in Shelburne, Vt., with family by her side.
She was born in Burlington, Vt., to Roy L. and Thelma B. Clark. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1958 and from the University of Vermont in 1962 with a BS in nursing. She married Kenneth P. Babits Sr. in July 1972 in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She worked as a registered nurse, first at the Mary Fletcher Unit in labor and delivery, then at Birchwood Terrace Nursing Home for 44 years, holding various positions. Kathleen, first and foremost, loved and prioritized her family. She was an avid reader, loved writing poems and short stories, and even had some published in small magazines and books. She loved boating on Lake Champlain and enjoyed nature and the outdoors. Over the years she was involved in Special Olympics Vermont, JUMP and the First United Methodist Church.
She was predeceased by two aunts, Phyllis Davis and Ione Bryne; her parents, Thelma and Roy Clark; and her husband, Kenneth Sr.
She is survived by her two daughters, Deborah A. Dewees and Karen L. Bogdan; their husbands, Seth Dewees and David C. Bogdan; two grandchildren, Shawn M. Bedard and his wife, Megan, and Joshua M. Beaupre; and two great-grandchildren, Emerson Bedard and Juliana Bedard.
The family of Kathleen wishes to extend our most sincere thanks to the staff at the Arbors at Shelburne for their extraordinary care provided to Kathleen and to UVM Home Health & Hospice.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to Special Olympics Vermont, 16 Gregory Dr., Suite 2, South Burlington, VT 05403, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 75 Talcott Rd. Suite 40, Williston, VT 05495.
This article appears in The Cartoon Issue • 2026.