Obituary of Kathleen Anne Koch

Kathleen Anne “Kathy” Koch

A Fighter for Social Justice

 

January 20, 1948 - March 17, 2026

 

Kathy lived a life worth celebrating. Kathy was proud to be born

and raised in South Buffalo, New York, to Michael Honan, a

World War II veteran, and Jeanne (Volk) Honan. Her brothers,

Michael Honan (Susan) and David Honan (Laura), were always

by her side. Kathy attended St. Teresa’s Elementary School

and Mount Mercy Academy High School, where she built a

strong foundation. In 1969, she earned her Bachelor of Arts

degree in Social Work from D’Youville University.

 

Kathy’s life was dedicated to fighting for social justice. She had

a long career as an employment counselor at the Erie County

Department of Social Services. She was known for always

going out of her way to make sure that those in the community

were well cared for. She couldn’t wait to tell her children that

she found a client a great job. And, she often made sure that

they were doing well long after they asked her for help. All of

her children followed in her footsteps by getting jobs helping

those in our community. Mike became an occupational therapist

at ECMC, Melanie became the Supervisor of Special Education

for Buffalo Public Schools, and Walt works as a Deputy District

Director and Senior Caseworker for Congressman Tim

Kennedy.

 

Her generosity didn’t end when she left the workplace. She was

well known for caring for her family, neighbors, and friends. She

often sent her children to neighbors’ homes to shovel

driveways, drop off home cooked meals, or to drop off the

Buffalo News when she was done reading it. She also loved to

host parties and everyone was invited. She lived to make others

happy and her sense of humor kept us all laughing.

 

Kathy was actively involved in the Western New York

community. She was an active member of the Mothers of Twins

Club, which she referred to as a support organization for those

with twins. She proudly displayed a prominent bumper sticker

on her vehicle that read “Twins are two much! ' She

encouraged her children to be active in extracurricular activities

which included Boy Scouts, swimming, soccer, and basketball.

And, later supported her grandchildren in their activities.

 

She loved politics and never missed an election. She believed

that you shouldn’t just sit around and complain about

everything, rather you must fight for what you believe in. She

attended political rallies and loved President John F. Kennedy.

In fact, Kathy and her husband, Wally, were both at a rally for

President John F. Kennedy on the steps of Buffalo City Hall on

October 14th, 1962, before they even met.

 

She loved listening to music, often including the Beatles, John

Lennon, Anne Murray, John Denver, and Peter, Paul, and Mary.

 

She loved riding her bike around the neighborhood, swimming,

and cherished special moments with her children and

grandchildren. She also loved reading books.

 

Kathy was a proud to be in the Bills Mafia before it was called

Bills Mafia. She never missed a Bills game. In 1974, when she

was nearly 9 months pregnant with identical twins, she went to

Rich Stadium to see OJ Simpson play in his only playoff game.

When the Buffalo Bills lost their first Super Bowl, she forced her

children to skip school to go to the rally in front of Buffalo City

Hall to welcome the Bills home.

She passed away on St. Patrick’s Day, her favorite day of the

year, surrounded by her entire family. She was proud of her

Irish heritage and loved celebrating her roots, never missing a

St. Patrick’s Day parade or a Honan family reunion.

Kathy and Wally lived a true love story. They met at a New

Year’s Eve Celebration near McKinley Parkway in South

Buffalo. Wally’s brother Bill also met his future wife, Karen Foss

at the same exact location. Kathy and Wally were married

shortly after they met at St. Teresa’s church. They shared 52

wonderful years of marriage together. They created a lifetime

full of beautiful memories.

 

Kathy leaves behind her beloved children, including identical

twin sons Walter E. Koch III (Jennifer) and Michael N. Koch

(Marcy). She loved her daughter Melanie Koch-Benham

(Michael) as well as her grandchildren, Norah L. Koch, Nicholas

 

J. Koch, Noah M. Koch, and Liam A. Koch. Her warm and

loving presence touched everyone who knew her, and she will

be deeply missed and forever cherished in their hearts.

 

Relatives and friends are warmly invited to come together to

celebrate her life at the Donald M. Demmerley Funeral Home

located at 21 Pierce Ave., Hamburg, NY 14075, on Monday,

March 30th from 4 to 7 PM. This gathering offers us a chance to

honor her memory and find comfort in each other’s presence.

You are welcome to join us for a Mass of Christian Burial at SS.

Peter and Paul’s Church, located at 66 Main Street, Hamburg,

NY 14075, Tuesday, March 31st at 10 AM. You are welcome to

join us for this meaningful celebration. Please feel free to share

your memories and stories of Kathy during the gathering to

honor her life and legacy.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice

Palliative Care Buffalo or SS. Peter & Paul’s RC

Church in Hamburg, in memory of Kathleen Anne Koch.

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