Kathryn Kaufman

Kathryn Ruth Kaufman, a 30 plus year resident of Durango, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family, the evening of May 15, 2017 at the age of 94 years.

Kit, as she was known by everyone, was born in Ainsworth, Nebraska on March 3, 1923 to Tillman and Bess Sawyers. Kit came to Colorado in 1940 to attend Colorado Women’s College where she met the love of her life, John Harvey Kaufman. One year later, Kit and John were married in Denver, Colorado by the Justice of the Peace. Very shortly after their wedding nuptial, Kit bid farewell to John as he entered the Navy to fight in WWII. Kit often joked about John having just one leave of absence during WWII, and not being able to return home for two and a half years to meet their first born child, Judith Lynne Kaufman, for the first time. Shortly thereafter, John and Kit were blessed with three sons, Scott Norman Kaufman, James Richard Kaufman, and Thomas Stephen Kaufman.

Kit and John built a home in Lakewood, Colorado shortly after his return from WWII. In 1968, Kit and John moved to Breckenridge, Colorado where Kit was a Title Examiner for Transamerica Title Insurance Company and an EMT with the Red, White, and Blue Breckenridge Ambulance Service for thirteen years. In 1985, Kit and John decided to retire in Durango, Colorado where they made many life-long friends. Kit and John traveled to Europe several times, and went on fourteen cruises all over the world. Kit loved to golf and play bridge with her many wonderful lady friends, was active in the P.E.O Sisterhood for seventy-two years, an active member of the United Methodist Church and the Stevens Ministry, volunteered with the Humane Society Thrift Store for seventeen years, and was a lover of all animals, particularly her two small dogs, Chambre and Joey.

Kathryn Ruth Kaufman was preceded in death by her husband, John Harvey Kaufman, sons Scott Norman Kaufman and James Richard Kaufman, and daughter, Judith Lynne Kaufman. Kathryn is survived by her son, Thomas Stephen Kaufman, and Tom’s wife, Sheryl J. Kaufman, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

A Memorial and Celebration of Kit’s Life will be held June 30, 2017 at 10:00AM at the First United Methodist Church, Durango, CO. A short reception will follow the service in the FUMC Dining Room.