Kathleen Mary Brannen
1962-2017
Kathleen Mary Brannen (née Batchelor), affectionately known as “Leeny” to her friends, and “Queen B” to her students, was born in Syracuse, New York to Kathleen Joyce (Whitten) and Donald S. Batchelor, the fourth of five children and self-proclaimed “favorite child” (which in fact, all agreed, she was). Hugger and smoocher extraordinaire, fiercely loyal friend, Harry Potter aficionado, lifetime lover of Snoopy, champion sleeper, and long-time community volunteer, Kathleen embraced life with passion and grace.
Kathleen graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in education and a M.S. in Deaf Education. In June of 1987 she married the love of her life, David Brannen, in Norman, OK. In 1992 they welcomed their amazing daughter, Katherine (Kate), into the world. From the Woodlands, Texas to San Antonio and from Broken Arrow to Edmond, OK, Kathleen loved, nurtured and taught children and always found a way to help others with her kind and generous spirit. After moving to Edmond in 2003, Kathleen formed a tight community of friends including her beloved “busy bees” and parents at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, her “team” at Edmond Mobile Meals, and her dear friends at Bible Study Fellowship.
Kathleen enjoyed cooking, collecting cookbooks, antiquing, and rooting for the Sooners (much to the chagrin of her UT Longhorn husband). She loved to entertain and her “Gazebo Nights” were legendary.
She is survived by David, her loving husband of thirty years, and Kate, the daughter of whom she was so immensely proud.
In addition, Kathleen is also survived by her four siblings, Laurie Batchelor of Lakeville, CT, Sarah Harrison of Norman, OK, Donald Batchelor of Southlake, TX, and Nancy Batchelor of Oak Harbor, WA.
A memorial service will be held at St. Augustine Episcopal Church located at 14700 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK on Friday, August 25 at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathleen’s name to Edmond Mobile Meals, 25 W 3rd St, Edmond, OK 73003.
What a unique wonder you were. I’ll bet everyone from our high school class smiles when they think about you, except for now, because we are so shocked and saddened by your passing. Now we cry.
We connected when our daughters were both going through Rush at OU at the same time. We were both former band moms. You had recently retired and were taking charge of that wonderful phase of life. I’m so glad you got to enjoy it, with your gazebo nights and friends.
Many of us enjoyed reading your views on Facebook, which helped us stay connected to each other. When you read about a co-teacher of mine going through cancer treatment, you generously volunteered to drive all the way to Norman to substitute for her for free when she had to be gone. They actually got a long-term substitute instead, but the fact that you volunteered was so touching.
You were a treasure!
My greatest condolences to your beloved husband Dave and your beloved daughter Kate. I know they will miss you more than words can say. So will your high school class.
Leeny
Words cannot express the shock and sorrow everyone is feeling at your passing. Our HS class has surely lost one of the best. I don’t think we’ll ever recover.
I’m so glad we talked before and after your trip to Canada. You had such a great time.
I pray for you and your family. I can’t even imagine what they’re going through. You are so loved by so many.
You were an Angel here on earth and now forever in Heaven.
Your Gazebo Nights were the best! A fantastic hostess and loving friend. I have sweet memories. Miss you Kat!
Leeny,
I’m so glad we re-connected these last few years and especially grateful that we were able to spend time with you this past December.
I echo the others in that you always made me laugh and your generosity and kindness knew no bounds.
I loved seeing your replies to my posts: I knew the moment I posted something about the pups, you’d be the first to respond. And I felt like you kept me more informed than any news source could! I’ll miss your likes, your replies, celebrating or commiserating our shared political perspectives and every Sooner football game, and reading about your beautiful daughter and wonderful life with Dave.
But you’ll live on in my heart in big and small ways: I promise to fight for what’s right and appreciate every day.
I promise to have a beer instead of wine every now and then. I promise to acknowledge my dogs are Silkies rather than Yorkies. I hope that makes you laugh up there.
And finally…one last time, dear friend:
Boomer!
Dear Kathleen,
Our friendship and sisterhood goes back many years. I love you and miss you.
I only wish I could have been a part of your amazing life in years past but I know from your family and friends that you were an AMAZING SISTER, MOM, WIFE, AUNT, COUSIN, FRIEND, TEACHER, OU FAN, and so much more. Gone to soon but left the memories we will cherish…amazing love, kindness, sunshine, commitment, spellbinding smile, so much laughter, so witty, so smart, so loving and caring. My prayers to your family and friends each and every day. I will miss you always Leeny.
Lisa
It seems impossible that we will never get to hug you and share stories with you and laugh with you at our next Norman High School reunion, Leeny. But we will never forget you. We will hug each other in your memory, and share stories about you, and smile through our tears with the gratitude we feel for having been blessed by your life being part of ours. God bless you, Kathleen. We will miss you beyond what words can describe.