Catherine A. "Kitty" Paxton

Catherine "Kitty" A. Paxton, 76, of Leesburg, Florida passed away after an extended period of illness on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Born in Owego, New York, she moved to Leesburg in 2010 from Clayton, New York. She was a Secretary at IBM and a very big supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Catherine was a founding member of The Grindstone Island Research and Heritage Center in Clayton, New York. She was also an avid duck hunter and a Grand Champion of The American Trapshooting Association. A marriage to William C. Paxton ended in 1987 due to Bill's death. It was then she moved her family to Grindstone Island in Clayton, NY and found peace. She was remarried to Francis "Salt' E. Garnsey, who has been by her side ever since. She loved her family which was evident while raising her children then opening her home to her many nieces and nephews to enjoy the summers. She was looking forward to the arrival of her great-granddaughter in November. Kitty loved to travel and with Salt and their dog, Murphy, next to her. They traveled across the country, stopping and enjoying the scenery. Alaska was her favorite part of her many journeys, enjoying fishing with Salt. They even fell in love with Oregon during one of these trips and together decided to move there to be closer to her son, Michael. She is survived by her loving husband, Francis E. "Salt" Garnsey, Jr., of Leesburg, Florida; Son - Michael Paxton and companion Nicole Jackson of Redmond, Oregon; Daughter - Betty Paxton of Clayton, New York; Brother - Joseph Karpel of Owego, New York; Sisters-in-law: Margaret Karpel of Apalachin, New York and Mary Karpel of Owego, New York; Granddaughters - Emma Paxton of Clayton, NY and Olivia Jackson of Redmond, Oregon, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents: George Sr. and Evelyn Karpel; husband, William Paxton; a brother and his wife: George Karpel, Jr and Cheryl Karpel; brothers: Thomas Karpel and Stephen Karpel and niece, Margaret (Margie) Karpel-Mills. Per her request, there will not be any services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.