Carrie Minerva Kauffman's Obituary
Carrie Kauffman, age 84 of Lewes, DE passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at The Moorings in Lewes, DE, after living for many years with the ravages of early onset Alzheimer’s. She was born on June 11, 1938, in Richfield, PA, the oldest of six children, to Earl O. and Lula (Fawver) Kline, but spent most of her childhood in Liverpool, PA.
Carrie graduated from Greenwood High School and attended Nursing School at Harrisburg Hospital (Harrisburg, PA). While traveling home on weekends, she reconnected with a high school bandmate, Richard F. Kauffman, who became her husband in December 1959. Carrie moved with him to Gettysburg, PA and began her distinguished nursing career at Annie Warner Hospital.
Their only child, Krista L. Kauffman Casey, was born in October of 1961. Carrie continued nursing as they moved to Loganton, PA and finally settled in York, PA. As she advanced from floor supervisor to shift supervisor, she also chose to pursue her BSN in nursing from Elizabethtown College. Shortly after receiving her degree, Carrie began moving into hospital administration, eventually becoming the Director of Nursing at Memorial Osteopathic Hospital in York, PA. She would keep up her clinical skills by always working beside her staff during bad weather or large medical emergencies, becoming both well respected and loved by her staff.
Pennsylvania Hospital Insurance Company (PHICO) also took notice of her skills in risk management as they surveyed the hospital and asked her to become a risk manager out of their Camp Hill Office. Again, she quickly moved up the ranks, eventually becoming a Vice President of Risk Management while pursuing her master’s degree in Hospital Administration with a specialty in Risk Management. Unfortunately, the effects of early onset Alzheimer's Disease forced Carrie to retire early at 62. Upon Richard's retirement, they chose to move permanently to their second home in Ocean View, Delaware. She volunteered at the local elementary school as well as remained active within their church congregation for several years until Alzheimer's made even this difficult.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Kauffman; her brother, Ralph, and her sister, Linda. Fortunately, Carrie was able to have several good years to enjoy her daughter's marriage to Charles B. Casey, and her two granddaughters, Laura E. Casey, and Fraser C. Casey-Letham. She also had the opportunity to meet her great-grandchildren, Charles T. Cornell, and Fraser L. Parks. Carrie is also survived by her siblings: Geraldine (Mazie), Gerald (Pokey), and Wendell Kline. Carrie was nothing but a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was loved by many and will be forever missed.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 12:00 noon at St. Matthew's Lutheran Cemetery, 600 Centerville Road, Millerstown, PA 17062.Following the service, we will gather at The Ranch House, 3456 Susquehanna Trail, Duncannon, PA 17020 to enjoy fellowship and memories of Carrie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market Street, Suite 250, Philadelphia, PA 19106, or your local Alzheimer's Association.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON SUNDAY, APRIL, 30, 2023, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
What’s your fondest memory of Carrie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Carrie?
Share a story where Carrie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Carrie you’ll never forget.
How did Carrie make you smile?