Katherine Kay Kuncel-Gresham

It is with deep sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of Katherine Kay Kuncel-Gresham on April 18, 2006 at her home in Las Cruces, NM. She was born to Richard E. Kuncel and Patricia McCamant-Kuncel in El Paso, Texas on July 29th 1955. Katherine spent most of her childhood in El Paso where she attended Newman, North Loop, and Crockett Elementary schools. Making many friends along the way, she was also fondly known as Kathy, Kat or Katydid. Katherine aspired to be an actress, and as a thespian in high school she performed beautifully in several high school dramas. She loved to sing and also learned to play the guitar. Katherine was a good listener and a warm, caring person. Her eccentric sense of humor never failed to make her friends and family laugh. She always had a smile on her face and her door was always open. Her fun loving spirit, love, and friendship were her gifts to her family and friends. Katherine attended Gadsden High School where she graduated in 1973, and New Mexico State University. She was a long time resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico. When Katherine was in her mid 20's she began to experience psychotic episodes that were later diagnosed as Bi-Polar disorder. This disabling condition prevented Katherine from realizing her true potential as a human being. Although psychiatric treatment and medications allowed her to live most of her life in a reasonably normal manner, the episodes of mania and depression would always return and bring a great deal of hardship, the last year of her life being particularly difficult. Even so, Katherine was always very positive about her situation and rarely complained. A true animal lover, Katherine never turned away a stray cat or dog. And, they all seemed to know where to find her. Among her animal friends, her most precious and devoted was Socks the cat. For the past 22 years he was her anchor to her home. For the past few years, Katherine derived her greatest pleasure in life by being a grandmother to her daughter's children. They will miss her most of all. Katherine is survived by her parents Pam Postlewait of Las Cruces and Jack Kuncel of Show Low, Ariz.; Grandmother Edith Kuncel of Show Low; children Jason Gresham and Elisabeth Gresham of Las Cruces; brothers Alan Kuncel and his wife Jeanne of Las Cruces; Richard Kuncel of Phoenix, Ariz., Kevin Kuncel of El Paso; and her sister Pamela Kuncel-Copple of Lansing, Michigan. Her stepsisters Paula, Alita, Laura, and Kathryn Reed of Grand Prairie, Texas. Katherine also had four precious grandchildren, many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. "For what is to die, but to stand in the sun and melt into the wind? And when the Earth has claimed our limbs, then we shall truly dance." Kahlil Gibran In lieu of flowers, contributions or donations may be sent to the Dona Ana County Humane Society, 3551 Bataan Memorial, West. Las Cruces, NM. Expressions of sympathy may be mailed to 901 Stull Dr., Las Cruces, NM, 88001. Cremation has taken place. Private memorial services and internment at the Masonic Cemetery will be held at a later date in El Paso, Texas. PDF Printable Version