Kathleen A. Reece
September 21, 1951 – October 13, 2026
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Kalamazoo on October 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy’s memory to The Ark Services for Youth. Kathy will be remembered for her humor, intelligence, faith, and her gift for making others feel valued and seen.
Obituary
Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Reece, 75, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on October 13, 2026. She was born on September 21, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, to Mary Ellen and Leo Greenup.
Kathy attended St. Martin of Tours, where she was a proud high school cheerleader. After graduating in 1969, she went on to attend Western Michigan University. During her freshman year at WMU, her favorite English professor introduced her to his brother, David. He became her best friend and partner for life. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage. Kathy and Dave had two daughters, Meghan and Libby. Having grown up with four brothers, Kathy was thrilled to have two daughters, who became the center of her world. She loved being a mother and gave her daughters the confidence to be themselves and the unwavering love and support to pursue what mattered most to them.
Kathy was a beloved teacher at Mendon High School and later at Hackett Catholic Central. She taught primarily English and later taught history at Hackett. She had a special way of connecting with students and making them feel seen. After several years of teaching at Hackett, she became the school’s campus minister. Her faith was an important part of her identity and her work. The Marianist community, an integral part of life at Hackett, also held a deeply meaningful place in Kathy’s life.
Kathy loved Detroit, Motown music, and cheering on her Detroit Tigers. She was stellar at trivia and delighted in putting her knowledge to the test.
Her four grandchildren—Henry, George, Margot, and Lucas—held a special place in her life. Whether she was cheering in the stands, playing board games, or engaging in crafts, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and learning about their individual interests and passions, making each of them feel special.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Ellen and Leo Greenup, and her oldest brother, Ed Greenup. She is survived by her husband, David; her daughters and their husbands, Meghan and Jake Block and Libby and Scott Makohn; her grandchildren, Henry, George, Margot, and Lucas; and her brothers, Rick Greenup, Don Greenup, and Doug Greenup.
Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at North Woods Village for the extraordinary care and kindness they showed Kathy and her family throughout her final years.
