June 30, 1947 – July 4, 2026
Katherine Hibbard Ormond, longtime resident of Northampton and affectionately known as Kate to family and friends, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at the age of 79. She spent her final days at Sawtelle Family Hospice House surrounded by many family members and cared for by compassionate staff.
Born in Northampton, Massachusetts, Kate was the beloved daughter of Eleanor (Sanders) Ormond and William Howard Ormond Jr. Northampton was always home in her heart. She spent most of her life there, rooted in the community she loved. She relocated to Reading, Massachusetts, in recent years to be closer to her daughter and family.
Kate graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and built a career working in credit and collections for a variety of companies. She was known for her dedication, reliability, and strong work ethic.
Beyond her career, Kate found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Over her lifetime, she loved gathering with friends, home renovation projects, tending to flowers, reading, watching classic old movies, and vacationing in Ogunquit, Maine, where she found peace and happiness by the ocean.
Those who knew Kate will remember her storytelling and sense of humor, which never left her—even during difficult moments. Before a condition limited her, she was a devoted apheresis blood donor through the American Red Cross, faithfully donating platelets and plasma to help patients facing serious and complex medical conditions that touched countless lives.
Kate’s greatest joy was her family. She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Tracy L. (Shaw) Fialli, and her husband, Joseph Fialli; her granddaughters, Andrea Fialli, Joanna Fialli, and her husband, Richard Randolph; cherished great-grandson, JJ Randolph; sister, Christine Conlon, and her son, Tim Grabowski; and niece, Kellie Ormond.
She was predeceased by her parents, Eleanor and William Ormond Jr.; her sister, Sandra Renaud; and her brother, William Ormond.
Private services will be for the immediate family only through Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor Kate’s life and memories they shared with her.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations or volunteer service to the MSPCA, Manna Community Kitchen in Northampton, or the American Red Cross. Those wishing to honor Kate’s memory are also encouraged to consider donating blood or, if eligible, becoming an apheresis donor to continue the lifesaving gift she cherished.
Kate will be remembered for her kindness, resilience, generous spirit, quick wit, and love for her family, her hometown of Northampton, friends and animals she loved or supported. Her legacy lives on in the laughter she shared, and the love she leaves behind.
https://www.czelusniakfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Katherine-Ormond?obId=48979000
