IN MEMORIAM:  Jean Kafchinski, 89;

Hartwick College Bursar Retired In ’95

ONEONTA – Jean Elizabeth (Smith) Kafchinski, 89, retired Hartwick College bursar, passed away Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at Fox Hospital.

A longtime resident of Oneonta, she was born on Dec. 7, 1926, in Lymanville, Pa.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was the daughter of the late Garney and Anna (Lyman) Smith.

Jean graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Pa., moving to Oneonta in 1952.  She was a member of the Jayncees in her early years.  In 1990 Jean joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church and continued to be a part of the RCIA team for many years.

She worked in the business office at Hartwick College for 33 years, retiring from as bursar – college finance officer – in December 1995.  

While Jean had only one sibling, she had numerous loving sisters in Beta Sigma Phi, which she joined in 1972 and became a lifetime member.   She held the position of each office, including the position of President, several times.  She received her Chapter’s Woman of the Year award four times and the International Award of Distinction honor in 2011.

On July 18, 1945, she was united in marriage to Stanley Kafchinski in Lymanville. He predeceased her on April 1, 2013.   

She is survived by her three children, Ronald and his wife, Linda of Sykesville, Md,; Rodney of Unadilla; Regina Baker and her husband, Cecil of Oneonta, and one former daughter-in-law, Patricia Green Kafchinski; eight grandchildren, Robert Kafchinski of Millville, Del., Joseph Kafchinski and wife, Cara of Herndon, Va., James Kafchinski and wife, Mary Ellen Withrow of Chevy Chase, Md., Bradley Baker and husband, Matthew Powell of Chicago, Ill., Amanda Baker Tolbert and husband, Chris of Hanahan, S.C., Marcia Kafchinski Lundin and husband, Jeff of Springfield, Va., Garrett Kafchinski of Brooklyn, and Nathan Kafchinski of Unadilla. She also had three great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Hudson Tolbert, and Jane Lundin.

She is also survived by her one and only dear cousin, Sally (Skinner) Sandford and husband Fred of Annapolis, MD and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Jean was predeceased by her parents and her one brother, L. O’Dell Smith.  

A funeral mass will be at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta with the Rev. David Mickiewicz, pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schenevus Counties, online at www.charitiesccdos.org.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.