Kathy A. Szostak of Methuen, a star athlete at Methuen High School and Ohio State University, died Aug. 22, 1993 in her sister's home in Belmont. She was 31.

Ms. Szostak was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1986 and underwent surgery at the Lahey Clinic for removal of a tumor. The disease was in remission nearly six years, but symptoms reappeared last fall and she underwent surgery in October.

Ms. Szostak was born in Methuen, attended St. Monica's School and graduated with honors from Methuen High School in 1979.

At Methuen High, she excelled in field hockey, basketball and softball and was voted most valuable player in all three sports. She was also named Athlete of the Year in 1979.

She set Methuen High basketball records for most points in a game (45), most rebounds in a game (23) and most points in a season (295). She set single season softball records for highest batting average (.607), most home runs (9), most grand slams (4) and runs batted in (310).

She attended Ohio State University on a full athletic scholarship and played field hockey and lacrosse. She was named a collegiate all-star in field hockey and graduated with honors in 1983.

Ms. Szostak's specialty was early childhood development. She worked with preschool children in Lawrence, Ohio, Rhode Island and New Hampshire and enjoyed singing and dancing with her charges.

She coached field hockey at East Greenwich, R.I., High School.

Last spring, hundreds of supporters attended a basketball tournament held in her honor at Methuen High School. She was unable to play, but did manage to toss up the ceremonial jump ball.

She leaves her mother, Margaret T. (Baggett) of Methuen; her father, Charles of Lawrence; five brothers, Michael J. of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Kenneth P. of Methuen, Charles R. of Guerneville, Calif., Paul J. of Salem. N.H., and Robert S. of North Andover; and two sisters, Jane M. Walsh of Billerica and Nancy M. Wright of Belmont.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. in St. Augustine's Church in Andover. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen.