Obituary for Kathryn Jean LaDuke (Wolf)
Kathryn (Kathy) Jean LaDuke passed away on January 7, 2021 after a prolonged battle with
COVID-19. She was 68. Kathy was born on June 1, 1952 in Annapolis, MD. She grew up in
Liverpool, NY and moved with her husband, Richard LaDuke to Clifton, NJ to seek careers in
teaching. They later moved to Lake Tamarack in Stockholm, NJ a place that they have called
home for forty years.
Kathy is survived by her husband Richard, her son Robert, his wife Carrie and their sons Riley
and Henry of Sparta, NJ, her daughter Dona, her husband Nathan and their daughters Colette and
Nina of Watsontown, PA. She was predeceased by her Mother, former WWII Flight Nurse Jean
Nann, Stepfather Jack Nann, and Stepbrother John Nann.
Kathy was a constant volunteer working to enrich the lives of the children in her community.
Starting out as a tee-ball coach, to a Cub Scout den mother, and then onto youth cheerleading
coach. Her true passion for volunteering shone brightest whenever she was doing anything for
her lake community that she loved. Along with a group of others she helped reestablish the
Lake Tamarack Swim Team in the mid-1980s. This team has been able to give children and
parents in the lake a sense of community and friendship that still endures today. In addition to the
swim team, Kathy helped found other social events within the lake to encourage that sense of
community year-round. Stand outs include Camp Night at the ball field, the Fall Pig Roast, and
the Christmas Tree Lighting.
Professionally, Kathy graduated from Brockport State University in 1974 as a Health Education
Major. Her career as a teacher started at the Madrid-Waddington School in Waddington, NY and
after a few years moving on to Clifton High School in Clifton, NJ. She took time to raise her
own children and later returned as a long-term substitute teacher at Hardyston Elementary
School in Franklin, NJ. She would finally land a full-time teaching position at Jefferson
Elementary in Succasunna, NJ where she worked with friends and colleagues for 19 years.
Personally, Kathy was a proud Syracuse resident and always supported the Syracuse Orange. She
enjoyed her vacations in Long Beach Island, NJ, Hawaii, and in Largo, FL. She could be found
kayaking in the summertime or walking her dog Harley while greeting neighbors. She loved trips
to New York City for Broadway Shows or something as simple as staying local and browsing
garage sales with friends. She spent many years having fun with her grandchildren, from
teaching her grandsons to ride a bike, to trips to amusement parks and showing them the best of
life at the lake.
There will be no funeral services, a memorial celebration is being planned for a later date during
the Summer of 2021.
COVID-19. She was 68. Kathy was born on June 1, 1952 in Annapolis, MD. She grew up in
Liverpool, NY and moved with her husband, Richard LaDuke to Clifton, NJ to seek careers in
teaching. They later moved to Lake Tamarack in Stockholm, NJ a place that they have called
home for forty years.
Kathy is survived by her husband Richard, her son Robert, his wife Carrie and their sons Riley
and Henry of Sparta, NJ, her daughter Dona, her husband Nathan and their daughters Colette and
Nina of Watsontown, PA. She was predeceased by her Mother, former WWII Flight Nurse Jean
Nann, Stepfather Jack Nann, and Stepbrother John Nann.
Kathy was a constant volunteer working to enrich the lives of the children in her community.
Starting out as a tee-ball coach, to a Cub Scout den mother, and then onto youth cheerleading
coach. Her true passion for volunteering shone brightest whenever she was doing anything for
her lake community that she loved. Along with a group of others she helped reestablish the
Lake Tamarack Swim Team in the mid-1980s. This team has been able to give children and
parents in the lake a sense of community and friendship that still endures today. In addition to the
swim team, Kathy helped found other social events within the lake to encourage that sense of
community year-round. Stand outs include Camp Night at the ball field, the Fall Pig Roast, and
the Christmas Tree Lighting.
Professionally, Kathy graduated from Brockport State University in 1974 as a Health Education
Major. Her career as a teacher started at the Madrid-Waddington School in Waddington, NY and
after a few years moving on to Clifton High School in Clifton, NJ. She took time to raise her
own children and later returned as a long-term substitute teacher at Hardyston Elementary
School in Franklin, NJ. She would finally land a full-time teaching position at Jefferson
Elementary in Succasunna, NJ where she worked with friends and colleagues for 19 years.
Personally, Kathy was a proud Syracuse resident and always supported the Syracuse Orange. She
enjoyed her vacations in Long Beach Island, NJ, Hawaii, and in Largo, FL. She could be found
kayaking in the summertime or walking her dog Harley while greeting neighbors. She loved trips
to New York City for Broadway Shows or something as simple as staying local and browsing
garage sales with friends. She spent many years having fun with her grandchildren, from
teaching her grandsons to ride a bike, to trips to amusement parks and showing them the best of
life at the lake.
There will be no funeral services, a memorial celebration is being planned for a later date during
the Summer of 2021.