Parishioner Profile  - Kitty Birkett

by Amy Ancharski

Kathleen ‘Kitty’ Birkett is a lifelong member of St. Mary’s parish.  Kitty lives in Burlington Township, with her mother Mary Birkett, daughter Janice Bovankovich and nephew Jamie Birkett.

Kitty grew up on the family farm in Burlington Township. She proudly acknowledges that the Birkett family has been in Burlington for nearly 150 years.  Kitty fondly remembers spending long summer days playing with farm animals and being able to sample the multitude of fruits and vegetables picked fresh by her own hands.

Kitty is a graduate of Burlington Township High School as well as the Medical College of Pennsylvania’s Nursing Program.  In addition, she completed the Healthcare Administration Bachelors Program at St. Joseph’s College in Maine.

For the past 26 years, Kitty has worked at Wills Eye Hospital, later to become Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience.  Kitty enjoys her position as an Administrative Supervisor and the professional rewards that this career has offered.  Kitty has also worked as an expert witness and consultant to the legal profession in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In her spare time, Kitty likes gardening in her yard and trying her hand at many types of crafting.  She most enjoys, however, get-togethers with her friends and spending time with her three grandchildren - Lauren (7 years), Randall (6 years), and Carolyn (9 months) Ancharski.

Since she was a young child, Kitty has been involved in many different aspects of St. Mary’s.  Kitty enthusiastically recalls Carrabelle Faunce as one of her favorite Sunday School teachers.  Kitty has been involved with many Episcopal Church Women (ECW) projects over the years.  Most recently Kitty has devotedly served as a Vestry member and she is currently the Chapter President of St. Mary’s Daughters of the King (DOK).

When asked what Kitty’s vision is for the future of this chapter of Daughters of the King, she explains that, “we hope to continue growing in number, attracting ladies of all age groups. As we serve our Lord and pray for all those who ask, we are blessed in manifold ways with gifts of the Holy Spirit.”