Kathy Jean Yocum - Lebo

Kathy Jean Yocum-Lebo, 68, departed this life on the morning of Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. Kathy fought a long and courageous battle against Progressive Supranuclear Palsy prior to her passing.

Kathy was born in Chambersburg, PA on February 18, 1957 as the only child of Robert J. Yocum, Esq. and Mary Jean Croft Yocum. Kathy grew up in Shippensburg and graduated in 1975 from Shippensburg Area Senior High School. As a high school student, Kathy was a member of the varsity cheerleading squad and the varsity tennis team and was an excellent student.

Following high school, Kathy enrolled at Shippensburg University. After two years, Kathy transferred to East Stroudburg (PA) University, where she played on the women’s varsity tennis team. She graduated from East Stroudsburg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1979.

Kathy went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Education from West Chester (PA) University in 1980. Subsequently, she made the decision to follow her father into the field of law. Her father was a well-known Shippensburg attorney and served as long-time Shippensburg Borough Solicitor. Kathy attended the Institute for Paralegal Training in Philadelphia, PA and earned certificates in Civil Litigation and Administrative Law in 1981.

Kathy loved the field of law and practiced as a paralegal from 1981 until she was forced to retire due to the onset of her illness in 2017. She worked for multiple law firms during her career, including long tenures with Cy Goldberg & Associates in Philadelphia and McNees, Wallace, & Nurick in Harrisburg. Early in her career, she spent several years working with a legal team on Three Mile Island following the 1979 nuclear meltdown there. Throughout her career, Kathy was an active member of the Central PA Paralegal Association and kept current on continuing education to maintain status as a PA Certified Paralegal.

Kathy was a very devoted daughter. For many years following her father’s sudden and unexpected death in 1986, Kathy juggled her paralegal career with providing round-the-clock care for her mother, who through Kathy’s extraordinary efforts was able to remain in her home during a lengthy battle with brain cancer until passing in 1996.

While working in Philadelphia in the early 1990s, Kathy met her husband, Brad. They lived in St. Davids, PA for several years before moving to Shippensburg in 1997. Kathy and Brad were married in Harrisburg, PA on January 9, 1999.

Kathy pursued her love of tennis throughout much of her life. She was a member of a league champion USTA tennis team in St. Davids, PA for a number of years and played for several area USTA teams after moving home to Shippensburg in 1997. Kathy and her husband played tennis together regularly throughout their marriage.

Throughout her life Kathy was a devout Washington Redskins fan. Kathy and her husband enjoyed many trips to FedExField to cheer on the Redskins and enjoyed walking to Sunday fundays at Knute’s and later Arooga’s in Shippensburg to watch the Redskins and NFL football together. She was particularly proud of her collection of Redskins memorabilia, collectibles, and apparel which were displayed beautifully in the sports bar in the basement of her home.

Kathy took great pride in her home and enjoyed gardening on the beautiful property and hosting pool parties at her backyard pool. A wonderful cook, Kathy enjoyed preparing lavish and delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners every year. Kathy was a lifelong cat lover and was a devoted parent to many wonderful kitties throughout her life.

Kathy was active in the Harrisburg Area Republican Party during the 1980s. She was a member of Chambersburg Country Club, Shippensburg American Legion Post 223, and Shippensburg Minnequa Social Club 375.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 27 years, Dr. Lloyd-Braden (“Brad”) D. Lebo of Shippensburg and a beloved kitty, Rocky B. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved kitties Callie, Kelly, Tiger, Luca, Jakey, and Katy.

Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. Interment will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Shippensburg. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday afternoon at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter (CVAS) in Chambersburg, PA in memory of Kathy J. Yocum-Lebo.