Kathleen Byrne Gramet, 66, of Syracuse and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday June 3, 2015 at Upstate University Hospital. The poise, grace, and generosity to others that characterized her life remained strong throughout her last months.
Kathy and her husband, Alan, celebrated their 37th anniversary on May 29. She is also survived by her daughter, Jennifer Zaborsky, a son, Sam (Lura) Gramet, and grandchildren Ryan and Lily Zaborsky and Elias Gramet, all of Syracuse; her mother, Mary Byrne, of Pittsburgh, PA, formerly of Lockport, NY; her brothers and sisters, Patricia B. Pereira (Lawrence) of Jacksonville, FL, Shawna E. Byrne of Hyannisport, MA, Kevin T. Byrne (Valerie) of Livermore, CA, John G. Byrne (Sandra) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Mary Joan Frieden (Cary) of Austin, TX; brother-in-law Steven Gramet (Pamela), of St. Augustine, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, John Thomas (Tom) Byrne.
In addition to her beloved family and devoted friends, Kathy’s memory will be cherished by the thousands of students and colleagues she supported and encouraged throughout her career as teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for instruction, and superintendent of schools for the North Syracuse Central School District. During chance encounters in airports, supermarkets, and elsewhere, family and friends became accustomed to witnessing the heartfelt thanks these individuals expressed to Kathy for her life-changing concern.
Kathy’s commitment to the power of education was expressed throughout her life in a variety of community service activities. In retirement, her dedication to the Friends of the Waccamaw Library in Pawleys Island was instrumental in the building of a new library that opened in 2015.
Kathy earned a B.S. in Education from SUNY-Brockport, an M.S. in Reading Education from Niagara University, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration from SUNY-Oswego, and an Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University.
The Gramet family is deeply grateful for the compassion, skill, and dedication of the staff on 10E at Upstate University Hospital. As Kathy said, the 10E nurses are “angels.”
Relatives and friends may call on Sunday, June 7, from 4-7 p.m., at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, at the chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery, 800 Grant Boulevard, Syracuse.
In lieu of flowers, Kathy requested that donations be made to the Robert Blume Oncology Nurses Education Fund, Upstate Cancer Center, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210.

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