Kathi Lee (Gilford) Desmond, 52, wife of Kevin A. Desmond of Topsfield Road, Ipswich, died Sunday, October 6, 2013 in the Beverly Hospital following her long illness.

Born in Melrose November 15, 1960 daughter of Martha E. (Hallstrom) Nordike of Missouri and the late Kenneth L. Gilford formerly of Ipswich, she was raised in Ipswich and was a 1978 graduate of Ipswich High School. For several years she was employed as a carpenter with her late father and more recently and until her sickness, she was employed as a clerk at D.J.’s Variety in Ipswich.

Kathi was an avid N.E. Patriots fan. She loved her family, many friends and caring for her cats. She was a member of the Ipswich AMVETS Post #201 Auxiliary where throughout the years she was very active with their scholarship fundraising. 

In addition to her mother  and husband Kevin of six years she is survived by three brothers, Kenneth Gilford and his wife Nancy of Clearwater, FL, Timothy Gilford and his wife Donna of Ipswich, Theodore Gilford and his wife Lea of Merrimac and several nephews and nieces.

Private funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Ipswich Humane Group, P.O. Box  873, Ipswich, MA 01938.