RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Kathy Katy S. Schanz, 63, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, May 22, 2017, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, with the comfort and support of her loving family at her side. Katy was born on May14, 1954, in Herkimer, the daughter of the late Adam and Elisabeth Schanz. She was raised in Richfield Springs and graduated from Richfield Springs High School 1972. She furthered her education at the University of Miami, majoring in English and German, and later at John Hopkins University, where she did graduate work in German Language and Literature. For 17 years, Katy worked as an IT specialist and paralegal for Donovan and Yee, LLC in New York City. She retired in 2015 and then returned to Richfield Springs to be near her family. Her early career started in the airline industry working for both National Airlines and Pan-American Airlines, and later worked for Applied Business Technology Corporation. Katy lived the majority of her life in NYC, where she often hosted family and friends who loved to spend time with her at her home in Greenwich Village, and accompany her on countless adventures around the city. In her leisure time she enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading and spending time with her family. Her family was most important to her, and she was a beloved aunt to the many special nieces, nephews, and other children in her life. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Surviving her are two brothers, Horst Schanz and his wife Margaret, and Steven Schanz and his wife Gudrun both of Richfield Springs, one sister, Elizabeth and her husband Malcolm McNaught, Jr. of Millsboro, DE, many relatives in Germany, Canada and Richfield Springs, along with dear friends Norma Edger of New York City and Polly and Jim Renkins of Richfield Springs. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Gerda Mower. In lieu of a traditional funeral and calling hours, a remembrance gathering for family and friends will be held at a later time. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Springfield Library, Richfield Springs Library or a library of your choice. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.