Kathy “Kat” Virginia Orton

Kathy “Kat” Virginia Orton, 51 years old, passed away on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022.

For almost three years she fought a tough battle against cholangiocarcinoma, inspiring friends, family, and doctors. She was finally able to rest and find peace at her home, surrounded by her family. 

Kathy was born on June 12th, 1971, in Woodbury, New Jersey to Frank and Lora (Hott) Barbera. A tomboy from the start, Kat loved playing sports. She excelled at basketball and softball in her youth and was a valued member of her teams at Salem High School until she graduated in 1989. Thereafter, she attended Widener University, obtaining her BSN in Nursing in 1997. Passionate and devoted to her calling, Kat worked for the Memorial Hospital of Salem County for 18 years, ultimately becoming the Director of ICU and Transport Services. Wanting to spend more time with her family, Kat chose to transition into school nursing in October 2011. She became a beloved member of the staff at the Greenwich Stow Creek Partnership Schools, where she took care of students until her resignation in September 2021. Kat’s contribution to the world as a professional was impressive, but it paled in comparison to what she meant to everyone who was fortunate to call her a friend. Kat made friends everywhere she went. Her smile was infectious. She could and would talk your ear off. Even in her last days, when tears were flowing, her silly, sweet, hilarious sense of humor kept her friends and family laughing. 

Predeceased by her parents, Kathy is survived by her daughters, Tori and Lauren, and their father, Kevin Orton; sister and brother in-law, Krista and Paul Collier and their children, Joshua & Jessica; mother in-law, Dolores (Butcher) Frey and father in-law Bruce Orton. She is also survived by loved ones who were like family to her in the last few years, Lisa Anderson and her family, Eric, Lindsey, Alyssa, and Kaeleigh. This list would not be complete without Kat’s loyal, lifelong friends, Julie (DeCinque) Harris, Lori (Shimp) Bacon, & Matt Galasso with whom she shared laughs and tears and so many wonderful memories.

Kathy requested a Celebration of Life be held where her friends and family could enjoy good food and each other’s company. To honor her wishes, a celebration will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022, 2:00-6:00 pm at The Inn at Salem Country Club, 91 Salem Country Club Rd., Salem, NJ 08079. It meant a lot to Kat that people share their thoughts and memories of her at this event; so if you can, please do.

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