Obituary of Kathleen Claire Runyan

Middlesex, NJ - Kathleen Claire (Hennessy) Runyan, 84, passed away peacefully at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Somerset in Somerville on Saturday, January 9, 2016 with her loving family by her side. Born in Plainfield to her late parents Arthur and Catherine (Garvey) Hennessy, she resided in Plainfield for forty-five years before settling to Middlesex thirty-nine years ago. Kathleen worked in the cafeteria of St. Bernard School in Plainfield and was the assistant manager at the Allstate cafeteria in Berkeley Heights. She was also employed in the boyscout department at Teppers Department Store in Plainfield and was a leg model for many national magazines. For over twenty-four years, she volunteered at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville and belonged to the Lupus Foundation. Kathleen respected and loved everyone she came across. Kathleen loved the beach, ocean and countryside too. She enjoyed music, crocheting, dancing with her husband and during World War II; she tap danced to entertain the troops at Camp Kilmer. She is predeceased by her siblings Arthur and Dorothy, sister-in-law May Helen Palmer, niece Patty Palmer and granddaughter Mercy. Kathleen is survived by her loving and devoted family; husband Ralph, Sr. who have been married for over sixty-five years and their two sons; Ralph, Jr. and his wife Laura of North Plainfield and David of Whitehouse Station, her siblings; Shirley, Joan and Jimmy, two grandsons; Ralph III and Jesse, three great-grandchildren; Ralph, IV, Cole and Justin along with a soon to be great-great granddaughter Ava Luna. Along with many nieces and nephews, Kathleen also leaves behind her nieces and nephews whom she considered her children; Jan, Kenny, Debi, Ricky and Chrissy. A gathering honoring Kathleen's life will be held on Friday, January 15, 2016 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm in Middlesex Funeral Home, 528 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex, NJ 08846 with a prayer service beginning 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations sent to the Lupus Foundation (www.lupus.org) would be appreciated.