Kathleen J. Kearney

RENSSELAER- Kathleen J. Kearney passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025 at the Delmar Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. In Kathleen’s own words: “Once upon a time, Anne Sweeney, her husband Joseph W. Kearney, and her soon-to-be (the best ever) god-parents Margaret Sweeney and Jack Linden, rejoiced at the arrival of a baby girl in the early hours of February 24th, 1945. Their bundle of joy was christened “Kathleen” (meaning little Catherine or Kathryn) for her grandmothers. Kathleen attended grade school, high school and graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names, class of 1962. Perhaps you noticed her graduation photo in the Times Union when she was chosen “Teen of the Week” or in a list of local graduates of Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, NY or she may have caught your eye in the TUs article on NY State’s current logo (her design).” Following Seton College and then Rosary Hill College in Amherst, NY, she began her career with New York State; first in the Graphics Art Department of Motor Vehicles and then as a skilled Graphic Artist with the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. While there she was instrumental in the creation of many of the department’s informational brochures and pamphlets and contributed her considerable skills to the 1976 Bicentennial Exhibit at the New York State Capitol. Kathleen was a very proud pioneer homeowner of her historic house (built in 1877) on Hudson Ave. in Albany. While there, she gave much of her time and energy to the Hudson Park Neighborhood Association, serving as president for 5 terms. She was also involved in local politics, in particular with longtime friend Jack McEneny, and she served as an election day poll watcher for many years. She moved to Rensselaer in 2009 and spent many happy years there in her 1880 farm house, which to many, she affectionately referred to as “Kearnedoone”. Kathleen had a great love for football and horse racing—calling her friends to discuss the results! She even traveled to California for the Breeders’Cup at the Santa Anita racetrack and to Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland for the All Ireland Senior Football (soccer) championship. She loved and owned dogs throughout her life from her beloved Airedale Mike (among her first), to diminutive Lily, her last. Kathleen was talented, warm, witty, exuberant, funny, and fun-loving—a larger than life personality with an irrepressible sense of humor to match. She is survived by countless friends who enjoyed and cherished her company and will be missed immensely. She is predeceased by her parents Anne and Joseph, her aunt Margaret Sweeney who helped raise her after her father’s death, and her dearly loved and long-time companion Ray Wagner. A gathering to recall and remember Kathleen will be held Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 2-4pm with a prayer service at 4pm at Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209, 518-463-1594. Private interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont, NY. Kathleen loved flowers (but NO pink or red please) or please consider a donation in her memory to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204. Online condolences may be offered at danielkeenanfuneralhome.com