Katherine Mae Wismer
Katherine Mae Wismer left on her final journey at 3:45 AM, on March 23, 2022, in the arms of her loving husband, where she peacefully closed her eyes and drifted off.
Born on August 2, 1954, to the late Harold Frace and Mary Mickel, Kathy grew up in the Easton and Phillipsburg area as the second oldest of a family of eight.
In Katherine’s life she wore many hats, becoming a nurse, working for Family Pillars Hospice, serving as an EMT for Lopatcong Township, and achieving her lifelong goal of becoming a firefighter. She was the first female firefighter In the 110 year history of the Delaware Park Chemical Engine Company No. 1 in Lopatcong Township, eventually rising to the rank of captain. Her proudest moments were directing the company during the 9/11 crisis, having to step up in the absence of the assistant chief who was called to duty as a member of the FDNY. She earned the respect of every fireman in the company.
Kathy was married to the love of her life, Frank, on April Fool’s Day, 1995. All their friends commented when they received the invitation, “What a fitting date for these two”. They enjoyed life together to the fullest, including many trips to Kathy‘s favorite places; Walt Disney World, Wildwood, NJ and the Pocono Mountains. In 2005, for their 10th anniversary, they traveled to Las Vegas to renew their wedding vows at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding chapel with Elvis.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 27 years, Frank Wismer, her siblings; Jeanie Sagliani and her husband, Anthony, Jim Frace and his companion, Billy Jean Kulp, Joanne Sterk and her husband, Gary, Karen Fernadez and her husband, Fernando, Kristie Kaza and her husband, Jodi, and Milton Mickel and his companion, Leslie, her four children; Michael Reese, Amanda Burke, Raymond Burke, and Bobby Sue Lantz and her husband, Michael, her three grand-children Adrian, Athena, and Zed, her puppies, Mary and Peaches and way too many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and hundreds of friends. Along with her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her step-dad Milton “Gene” Mickel and her sister, Linda Walker.
A Viewing is scheduled for Monday, March 28, 2022, from 5 to 8 PM, at the Finegan Funeral Home, 302 Heckman Street, Phillipsburg, NJ, with an additional Viewing Period the following day, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, from 10 to 11 AM. A Funeral Service is then set to follow at 11 AM. The interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Kathy’s family to assist with her medical costs.
In memory of Kathy, please do a good deed today.