SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Catherine Leah Beecham Kempf, 53, passed away at Hospice Savannah on Friday August 12, 2011 from complications of ovarian cancer.

Born in Hackensack, NJ on June 16, 1958 and raised in Orange County, New York, Catherine distinguished herself from an early age by her fun personality and aptitude for learning anything she put her mind to. After studying Art and Business at Orange County Community College, she became vice president of Key Bank at 28 . There she met the love of her life, Howard Michael Kempf, 50. The pair married (March 3rd, 1990), and raised sons Aaron Coulter, 25 and Matthew Kempf, 20. The family moved to Savannah, GA November 2003, where, after earning a PHR through the Human Resources Certification Institute, Catherine became Director of Human Resources and a fundraising powerhouse for Royce Learning Center. Catherine continued her education throughout her 5 year battle with cancer, and upon her death was one course away from completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources. To no one’s surprise, her GPA was a solid 4.0. Throughout her life and illness, Catherine showed a tenacious confidence in God’s grace and providence. Invariably voted an exceptionally strong and courageous woman by family, friends and strangers alike, she left lasting effects on those around her. Although she is gone, it is certain Catherine is not yet done affecting our lives. After all, she was never so easily deterred.

Catherine is preceded in death by her father Tom Beecham and survived by her mother Elna Mae Webb, husband Howard, sons Aaron and Matthew, daughter-in-law Johannah Coulter and grandchildren Daniel, Sierrah and Hayden. She is also survived by siblings Susan Bach, Greg Beecham, Jo Andrea Dallas, John Beecham, Jennifer Miller, Joshua Beecham and Caleb Beecham.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon at Gamble Funeral Service with the Rosary service being held at 4 o’clock in the funeral home chapel conducted by The Reverend Chris Ortega.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 o’clock Monday morning in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist conducted by The Reverend Chris Ortega. Interment will be in the Catholic Cemetery.

Remembrances: Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry – Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Radner Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York 14263  or Hospice Savannah - Post Office Box #13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416-0190.