Kathleen “Kathy” Carothers Geoffroy, 76, of Boalsburg, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Born November 1, 1949, in Louisville, Kentucky, Kathy was the daughter of the late Francis Robert Carothers and Alice Jane Jessel Carothers.
She is survived by her children, Susan Maynard (Woody) of State College, PA, Janet Palmatier (Jason) of State College, PA, David (Amy) of Encinitas, CA, Michael (Jen) of Queen Anne, MD, her grandchildren, Evan, Andrew, Kate, Philip, Lewis, Aaron, Riley, Amelie, Bentley, Miles, Gabby, and Clara, and her sister and best friend Susan Denny. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Carothers, Jr., her sister, Jane McNally, and a nephew, Mark Carothers.
Kathy graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1967 and obtained her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Louisville in 1971. After graduating, she lived in Pasadena, CA, where she worked as a middle school math teacher. She later moved to State College, where she embraced what she would consider her greatest, and most challenging, role – raising her four children and managing a busy and loving household. Her life also took her to Rockville, MD, and later to Ames, IA, where she became a valued member of the Iowa State University community. She established the endowed Kathleen Carothers Geoffroy Scholarship, supporting first-year female students majoring in STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. This scholarship reflects both her passion for mathematics and her deep commitment to student success.
In 2014, Kathy returned to the State College area but continued her deep connection to Iowa State. She looked forward to football and basketball seasons to enthusiastically cheer on her Cyclones. She enjoyed quilting and her children and grandchildren are blessed to own some of her creations. She was also an expert crossword and jigsaw puzzler, and her shelves were filled with the many books she had read.
Above all else, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She rarely missed the opportunity to attend any activity in which they were involved. She was often a fixture at baseball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer games, musicals, plays, band and orchestra concerts, dance recitals, and cheerleading competitions. She would drop whatever she was doing the moment they called, eager to hear their voice and be part of their day.
The family is incredibly thankful for the care and support she received over the past 10+ years at the Mount Nittany Health Lance and Ellen Shaner Cancer Pavilion. It is because of their exceptional care that she remained strong and determined throughout her extended cancer journey.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation at https://www.bcrf.org.
Memorial mass will be at 9 am on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA with Father George Jakopac officiating.
Burial will be in Boalsburg Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.