Kathryn Ditty Updike

Kathryn D. Updike, age 86, passed away Friday, April 8, 2016. Born in 1930 in Monessen, PA, Kathryn graduated from Meadville High School In Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Updike was married to Bruce Martin Updike from 1952 until 2001.

Kathryn worked in the Dean of Men's Office for Carnegie Tech until 1954, when she moved to NYC and began working for the Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon. She then moved to Endwell, NY in 1956 where she became very involved in the community. Kathryn was the Chairman of the Maine-Endwell Scholarship Committee, President of the Endicott Woman's Republican Club, Vice-President of the Binghamton Woman's Republican Club, Vice-Chairman of the Broome County Republican Club, and President of the Susquehanna Players where she acted in many plays with good reviews. She was remembered as the actress whose smile "lit up the stage". She was also a member of the A.A.U.W, and the Monday Afternoon Club which held weekly programs and events to help keep the Phelps Mansion in its historical condition. She produced, directed, and acted in satires written by her husband to raise funds for high school scholarships. Kathryn was President of the Couples Club of North Minister Presbyterian Church, co-owned and operated "The Dandi-Lion"( a kitchen gourmet store), a member of the Board of Directors for Roberson Arts & Sciences in Binghamton, a member of the Broome County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Auxiliary Board for the Binghamton City Hospital for Gov't. affairs.

In 1979 Kathryn moved to Tega Cay, SC where she was a Tega Cay Council Member from 1982-1990. She was the Mayor Pro Tem from 1984-1986. She was also a member of the Moss Criminal Justice Center Committee (representing all of York County), a Charter Member and Vice-Chairman of Nation Ford Land Trust, Chairman of the County Municipal Services Study Committee that brought 911 to York County, a member of the Catawba River Task Force which published the Catawba River Corridor Study, and she was appointed to the State Commission of Natural Water Resources in Columbia. Kathryn was a member of 3 committees of the City Municipal Association in Columbia, charter member and 1st President of the Tega Cay Chamber of Commerce, she was voted 1 of 10 most influential people in York County in the 1900's, a Fort Mill Rotary Club Member, and she helped create the Lake Wylie Marine Commission in 1983. She received the Tega Cay "Citizen of the Year" Award two different years, she received the Murray B. White Preservationist of the Year Award in 2003. She was the Co-Chairman of the Fort Mill YMCA Capital Campaign, a member of the York County Council of Chambers, a member of the Bi-State River Commission (Mecklenburg and York), Vice Chairman and member of the York County Economic Development Board, member of the Tega Cay Women's Club and Fort Mill Women's Club, member of the Tega Cay Wednesday Morning Ladies' Bridge Club, a member of the Tega Cay Vintage Club, and Grand Marshal of the 2001 July 4th Parade in Tega Cay. Kathryn and Bruce Updike were honored by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce by having the Tega Cay Volunteer of the Year award named for them. Kathryn and Bruce were considered by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce to have given more back to York County by their service than any couple they knew.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Martin Updike. She is survived by her son Gregory Bruce Updike of Amarillo TX; daughter Stacey Lee Moleski (Charles) of New Milford, CT; son Jeffrey Martin Updike of Tega Cay; daughter Bonnie Louise Josefski (David) of Pembroke Pines, FL.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 11AM at Palmetto Funeral Home of Fort Mill. The family will be receiving friends following the service at the funeral home. A reception will follow at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tega Cay Beautification Committee, c/o Tega Cay City Hall, 7725 Tega Cay Drive, Tega Cay, SC 29708.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.palmettofh.com

The family of Kathryn Updike is being served by Palmetto Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Mill, S.C.

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