“Stop worrying where you’re going, move on. If you can know where you’re going, you’ve gone. Just keep moving on.” Sunday in the Park with George
Kathleen Natalie (Nee Paris) Boyd, died in the early morning hours of Friday, August 30th, 2024, she was 88 years old. Born in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Frank and Mary (nee Young) Paris, she was the youngest of three children. Her siblings Angela “Jean” and Frank, Jr. formed a tight knit family, with Jean and Kathleen speaking every day up until the day of her death. Growing up in Philadelphia, Kathleen attended Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, and when she was 14 she attended a school dance at a local high school where she would meet the love of her life, James Andrew Boyd. When Kathleen met Jim “the world went away”, and her life began. Their love story was a rare one which would span seven decades.
“Well, I’ve come home to find you waiting. Home, and we’re together. And we’ll do wonders. Won’t we?” Sweeney Todd
Jim and Kathleen would marry on September 18, 1954, and shortly thereafter move to Geneva, NY, where Jim would serve in the US Airforce. While stationed in Geneva, Kathleen would give birth to their daughter, Angela Jeanne Boyd (Billings). Jeanne was the light of their lives, and the three would make their home in New York City where Jim pursued a career in acting and Kathleen worked hard as a secretary to support their dreams. Throughout the years as Jim gained success in his career, the family enjoyed wonderful vacations together, theater and dining, and making a second home at their oasis in the mountains of Milord, PA.
“It’s our time, breathe it in: worlds to change and worlds to win.” Merrily We Roll Along
Kathleen loved spending time in her mountain home, as well as enjoying theater – especially anything by Stephen Sondheim – the sound of thunder, and finding beauty in the many stages of the moon. But mostly Kathleen loved her family. She graciously and lovingly welcomed the addition of her son-in-law, Bill Billings, into their family when Jeanne married Bill in 1983. When her grandson, Andrew Reddington Billings, was born in March of 1990, her world was complete. Kathleen was a woman of great joy and loved nothing more than being social, telling a good story, and enjoying a good gin martini.
“…In time, the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, they’re only made of clay. But our love is here to stay.” An American in Paris
So, Kathleen joins Jim, her forever love, to look over her beloved great-grandson, James, for the rest of his life. (Something that Andrew is firmly convinced of).
She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Boyd) Billings and her husband, Bill; her grandson, Andrew Reddington Billings and his wife Marissa Schwartz. She will be cherished and remembered by her great-grandson, James Reddington Billings. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Angela “Jean” Simonson, as well as nieces and nephews, Marie, Robert, Jim, Tom, Carol, Mary Theresa, Kathy and Beth.
“There’s a lot I’ll have missed, but I’ll not have been dead when I die! And a person should celebrate everything passing by.” A Little Night Music
Please join us to celebrate this life so incredibly well lived.
Visitation will take place on Friday, September 6th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, September 7th at St. Cabrini of Westchester, 115 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY at 12:15 PM, with interment to follow at Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, NY.
“Look I made a hat. Where there never was a hat.” Sunday in the Park with George
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.
