Kathleen Theresa Armbrust
April 7, 1931 - January 28, 2013
Kathleen T. Armbrust passed away on January 28, 2013 in Lady Lake, Florida at the age of 81.
She was born on April 7, 1931 in the Bronx, New York, to the late James and Mary Holcroft. She was the widow of Robert Armbrust who predeceased her in 2010.
Kathleen is survived by two sons, James Armbrust of Alliance, Ohio, John Armbrust and wife, Kathy, of Kenoza Lake, NY; two daughters, Donna Strikmike and husband, Dennis, of Lady Lake, FL, and Mary Hirsch and husband, Tony, of Kenoza Lake; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Kathleen was retired from the Callicoon Co-Op Insurance Company. She enjoyed traveling, reading and visiting with family and friends around her kitchen table.
Cremation was in the All Faiths Cremation Society, The Villages, Florida.
A Mass and burial services for Kathleen will be held on a future date.
Ida Mae Carstarphen Mitchell
Sunrise: October 22, 1924 - Sunset: February 5, 2013
“May the work that I’ve done speak for me”
Ida Mae Carstarphen Mitchell was the second of six children born to the late Mr. Van Carstarphen, Sr., and the late Mrs. Mary Carstarphen, October 22, 1924, in Fairhope, AL.
Ida recognized early in life that she wanted to help children. Her passion for this love led her to become a substitute teacher in the Fairhope School System. It was also in Fairhope where she met, fell in love with, and lived sixty-four beautiful years with Mr. Forrest Mitchell.
Upon moving to Gadsden, AL, she united with the F.B.C., AL, City, under the leadership E. L. Gary. Following her retirement, she united with the Handy Chapel A.M.E. Church, Gadsden, AL. When her mother passed away, she cared for her siblings. After her father died, her caring spirit made her brother, Joseph, a member of her household. and cared for him. Another aspect of her loving spirit was, at the passing of her sister, Margaret, her niece, Kim, was also under her care.
Her formal education was at Carver High School, Gadsden, AL. She also attended Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, However, Ida interrupted her education to attend to the needs of her siblings and then by the heart strings of Forrest.
Following their marriage, Forrest and Ida moved to New York. The many achievement awards she received was evidence of her love for humanity and her passion to help children by her involvement in her Monticello, New York city and community: Medical Records Director of Monticello Community Hospital; Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award from the New York State Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; member of the Board of Visitors of Middletown Psychiatric Center; member of the Board of Sullivan County Community College where she served as an Exhibitor for Career Information Exposition; Ida worked faithfully to ensure that African-American students were accepted into “ivy-league” colleges; member and Trustee of Monticello United Methodist Church; received a Service and Dedication Award for the study of Afro-American Life and History to the community; given an award from the American Association of Medical Assistants for service performed as President of Sullivan Chapter, a group of which she helped to organize; was awarded an eight -year plaque for dedicated service as member and Vice-President of the Board of Education, Monticello Central School District; Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society New York State Division; received an outstanding award from the AASA National Academy for school executives.
Ida Mae left footprints on the sands of time.
Ida was very active at Handy Chapel A.M.E. Church, Gadsden, AL, serving as a Steward, President of the Missionary Society, choir member, Secretary and Financial Treasurer of the church.
Comforted by Forrest and Joe, God plucked this beautiful rose, Tuesday, February 5.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 5 at Handy Chapel AME Church, 901 Rogers St., Gadsden, AL 35901. Arrangements are under the care of Gadsden Memorial Funeral Home, 1318 East Broad, Gadsden, AL 35903, (256) 492-4366.
