Hadley, MA – Kathleen A. “Digger” Bemben, 75, of Hadley, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital surrounded by her family and friends. She was born in Northampton on August 31, 1950, to the late Frederick and Irene (Szostak) Bemben.
Kathy was a graduate of Hopkins Academy and later pursued her career after receiving a bachelor’s degree from Bay Path University and UMass Amherst. She worked for several years at the Valley Advocate as a supervisor and more recently because of her love for animals she volunteered her time as a caretaker for an animal sanctuary in California.
She had a great fondness for horses and all animals, for music, and for Harley Davidson and Triumph motorcycles. She played bass in several bands including The Judy Hensler Band, and loved watching Leave It To Beaver and Gunsmoke reruns. Kathy will truly be missed by her family and her many friends.
She is survived by her brother Peter Bemben and his wife Jacqui Zuzgo of Hadley, brothers-in-law, Paul Zabawa of Los Angeles, CA, and Kevin Zabawa and his wife Deirdre of Longmeadow, sisters-in-law, Sharyn Hocurscak and her husband Steve of Sterling, Dianne Sutherland and her husband Don of Agawam, her nephews, Patrick Bemben and his wife Carolyn, Andrew Bemben and his fiancée, Mary Ellie, Ned and Malcolm Zabawa, and nieces, Torrie Sutherland, Stacy Hocurscak, Nicole and Amanda Zabawa, and many dear friends.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband David L. Zabawa.
Burial will be Friday October 10, 2025, at 11 AM in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME OF NORTHAMPTON has been entrusted with her services. A Celebration of Life will be at a later date and will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy’s memory to the Franklin County Dog Shelter, 10 Sandy Ln., Turners Falls, MA 01376, or to the Hadley Food Pantry C/O Most Holy Redeemer Parish, 120 Russell ST., Hadley, MA 01035.
For more information or to leave the family a personal condolence, please visit Drozdalfuneralhome.com.
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