Kathleen Iapoce

Kathleen “Kay” (Cummings) Iapoce, age 91, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025.

Kay was born on September 25, 1934, to Patrick and Margaret (nee Joyce) Cummings. Six weeks after her younger sister Mary was born, Kay and Mary’s mother Margaret passed away leaving Patrick a single father of two daughters under the age of 14 months. With the help of extended family, Kay’s father raised his daughters on West 90th Street in Manhattan. Tragedy struck the girls again when their father died in January of 1952. They moved from Manhattan to Mayflower Avenue in the Bronx to live with their Aunt Bea and Uncle Willie. At the time, Kay was attending Cathedral High School on Lexington and 50th in Manhattan.  She continued to commute via trains and buses to Manhattan for the rest of her high school years graduating in June of 1952. 

While vacationing in the Berkshires, Kathleen met a handsome young man from Long Island City in his twenties named Richard “Buddy” Iapoce. The two began dating and distance was no matter. Buddy traveled back and forth to the Bronx on the subway to see Kay as often as he could. They were married on May 19, 1962, and they enjoyed a honeymoon in the Pocono’s. They first settled down in North Bellmore, Long Island before a new job for Buddy prompted a move to Wayne in 1967.

A passionate traveler, Kay spent much of her life exploring the world with Buddy, and their many dear friends and family. Together they loved journeying coast to coast. Whether driving cross-country in the car for five or six weeks at a time, finding landmarks and historical places (maybe even a casino or two), or taking their annual Disney World trip with their grandchildren, they were always eager to discover new places and make memories they would cherish for their lifetimes. Kay found joy in seeing the world and experiencing all life had to offer. She continued to travel and create memories with her family, most notably to Outer Banks and Disney World.

Kay was a hard worker and had many jobs in her lifetime. She recently mentioned that she enjoyed every place she worked because there was something she learned from each experience. She had an extraordinary depth of knowledge across a wide variety of subjects. Her curiosity knew no bounds and she was always motivated to learn something new, solve a difficult puzzle, or simply engage in thoughtful conversations. Her family and friends often marveled at how much she knew about so many different topics. Her ability to absorb and share information made her a cherished source of wisdom and insight to all that knew her.

Faith was an important part of Kay’s life.  She was baptized, received her First Communion and was Confirmed at St. Gregory the Great Church on West 90th in Manhattan where her Father was the Sexton  (and rumor had it that her father had to stand in as best man for Babe Ruth at his wedding at St. Gregory’s Rector in 1928 because Babe’s chosen Best Man was not Catholic.. but you didn’t hear that from us).  Once she moved to Wayne, Our Lady of the Valley Church became her home parish for the next 58 years.  

Kay was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Richard Iapoce, “Buddy” in 2013. She was the loving mother of: Michael Iapoce and his wife Suzanne of Lincoln Park and their children Kevin, Connor, Kieran and the late Kyle Patrick Iapoce (1996) , Mary LaBarre and her late husband Edward (2021) of Wayne and their children Alyssa and her partner Ryan and their son Hunter Edward, Casey and Gregory LaBarre of Wayne, and Rick Iapoce and his wife Sue of Wayne and their children Ricky Iapoce, Nick and Dan Hanrahan, Katie and Justin Destefano and their daughter Vienna Grace.  She is also predeceased by her parents Patrick and Margaret Cummings, her Aunt Bea and Uncle Willie and her sister Mary Cummings.  

In Lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the following charitable organization would be greatly appreciated:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

Stjude.org