Mar 11, 2022

Anna Catherine “Kitty” Behm, 94, of Wind Ridge, died Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

She was born September 3, 1927, in Cambridge, Ohio, a daughter of the late Dwight and Isabella Robinson Frye.

Kitty attended Pleasant Valley School and then attended Muskingum College. She later attended nurse’s academy at the Ohio Valley Nurse’s Hospital in Wheeling, W.Va. There, she was selected to enlist in the United States Army Nurse’s Training to participate in World War II, but was unable to be actively enlisted due to the end of the war.

She worked on the surgical and pediatric units at the former Ohio Valley Medical Center. This is where she would come to be introduced to Charles “Bud” Behm.

They were married May 12, 1950, in Wheeling, W.Va. She traveled throughout the region working in various hospitals in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky, wherever her husband was employed with the pipeline industry.

Eventually Bud and Kitty ended up moving back to Wind Ridge and started farming on the original homestead founded by Bud’s great-great-grandfather. Kitty still participated in private duty nursing while helping on the farm, and also working with Bud in the auction business for several years.

Upon the death of Bud’s father, Kitty stopped nursing and joined Bud in forming Charles J. Behm Auction Company. Working side by side for countless years, they traveled thousands of miles together conducting auctions throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio, until the time of Bud’s retirement and turning the business over to their sons, Joe and Jim.

Kitty enjoyed her retirement with Bud, traveling, farming, and supporting various charities and organizations throughout Greene and Washington counties in Pennsylvania and Marshall County, W.Va.

She was a Sunday school teacher at the Bristoria Church and also attended church at Harmony Presbyterian Church in Jacktown. She helped start the Head Start Program for Aleppo, New Freeport and Jacktown areas.

She was a member of the Cambridge, Ohio O.E.S. #211, a two time cancer survivor, and an avid supporter of the Greene County 4-H livestock programs.

Kitty helped out for many years in the auction business, even when it had been passed down and the name changed to Behm’s Auction and Real Estate Services. Her memory and knowledge of antiques and collectibles was known throughout the auction industry and she will forever be remembered for her forthwith, her wit and her strong work ethic.

Kitty is predeceased by a son, Charles J. “Joe” Behm III.

Surviving are her husband, Charles J. “Bud” Behm Jr.; son, Jim (Shelly) Behm of Glen Dale, W.Va.; a brother, William Frye of Niles, Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Karen Behm of Waynesburg; grandchildren, Charles “Justin” (Amanda) Behm, Andrew (Haddie) Behm, Alexandria Behm, Madeline Behm and Charles Behm; as well as great-grandchildren, Katie and Charlie Behm, and Graham and Tucker Behm.

Friend will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 13, in the Behm Funeral Home, 182 W. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 14, with Pastor Linda Shaw officiating. Interment will follow in Wind Ridge Cemetery, Wind Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be expressed at www.behmfh.com.