Dr. Kathleen Thrush Shaginaw

Dr. Kathleen Thrush Shaginaw, a beacon of knowledge and a nurturing spirit, left this world on June 18, 2025, at Chandler Hall in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Born on October 18, 1956, in the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan, she blossomed into a scholar whose passion for education illuminated the lives of her students and colleagues alike.

A proud graduate of Oakland University in Rochester, MI, Kathy went on to earn her PhD in Chemical Physics at the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. She worked for several large multinational chemical firms, specializing in materials and manufacturing processes. Kathy held more than a dozen patents for inventions that are used today in manufacturing everyday items ranging from coatings and paints to catalytic converters.

After her time in industry, Kathy’s passion for teaching took root in various prestigious institutions, including Ursinus College and Villanova University and then 15 years at the Community College of Philadelphia. During these years, she contributed to several college Chemistry textbooks, and she founded and ran a consulting business, Particular Solutions, advising companies large and small on how to improve their processes for manufacturing everything from refrigerators to dental crowns to copper awnings.

Throughout her life, Kathy embodied the essence of determination and leadership. As a member of the American Chemical Society, she served in several local and national leadership capacities, focused on advancing education in the sciences. Her commitment extended to the American Association of University Women, where she assumed roles at both the local and state levels. She showcased her leadership skills with the Delaware Valley Science Council for many years. And she gave her time and energy to Cops’n'Kids Delaware Valley, which introduces first responders to local children, to share both their valuable work and the joy of reading.

A loving wife, devoted stepmom, and loyal friend to many, Kathy leaves a huge empty space in the lives of those she touched. A woman of many interests, Kathy found joy in the simplest of pleasures – cooking beautifully crafted meals, reading voraciously, and embracing the great outdoors through hiking, biking, and swimming. Her zest for life was evident in her routine visits to the gym, where she thrived not just in physicality, but in the companionship of those who shared her passions.

Kathy leaves behind a legacy that is deeply woven into the fabric of her beloved family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Richard J. Shaginaw, and her loving stepsons, Joseph R. Shaginaw of Frankfurt, Germany, and Benjamin N. Shaginaw of State College, PA. She also shares her journey with her brothers, Christopher, Daniel, and Kenneth Thrush, along with several nieces and nephews, who will carry her memory forward in their hearts.

In her passing, Kathy joins the embrace of her beloved parents, Dennis and Teresa Thomas Thrush, and her stepfather Leo Quattro, whose love and guidance undoubtedly shaped the remarkable woman she became. She also joins her much-loved brother, Andrew Thrush.

A celebration of her life will take place in her cherished community, beginning with a visitation at J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services, 41 W. Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, PA, on June 23, 2025, between 6 PM and 9 PM. A Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church the following day at 10:30 AM, culminating in her interment at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Yardley, PA, at 11:45 AM. All are welcome to attend. Following the interment, all are invited to a luncheon at The Yardley Inn, 82 East Afton Avenue in Yardley.

Dr. Kathleen Thrush Shaginaw’s journey may have reached its earthly end, but her impact – a symphony of intellect, compassion, and boundless love—will resonate eternally in the hearts of all who knew her.