HUDSON FALLS – Cathy Lillian (O’leary) Kestner, 74, passed away on January 10, 2024 after a long battle with Parkinson’s and dementia. Her final moments were spent peacefully in her home, surrounded by family and close friends.
Cathy was the daughter of George O’leary Jr. and Beatrice (Constantineau) O’leary of Hudson Falls. She was a long-time member of The Church of St. Mary/St. Paul in Hudson Falls.
Cathy was a graduate of Hudson Falls School class of 1968. She married her husband of 52 years, Terry Kestner, on April 3, 1972. During their marriage, they had two children. Cathy spent many working years at C.R. Bard and Angiodynamics. She is fondly remembered by many of her former coworkers. Cathy also loved being part of organizing and attending her high school class reunions.
Known for her love of being with her family and friends as well as her collection of gnomes and precious moments, Cathy will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Cathy also enjoyed scrapbooking special family moments and sharing them with all that she knew. Cathy’s family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Terry Kestner of Hudson Falls, her son Mike Kestner (Patti), son Matt Kestner (Vanessa) of Bolton Landing, her grandchildren Kirstie Fidler, Patrick Kestner (Wendy), Kristian Kestner, sister Joyce Cease (Thomas Wayne) of Palmetto GA, and sister Maureen Rossi (Thomas) of Hudson Falls, and sister-in-law Sharon Jensen of South Glens Falls. She is predeceased by her parents, George and Beatrice O’leary as well as her sister Lynn Burlett and husband Ray Burlett Sr. There are also several nieces, nephews, and other family members that were truly loved by Cathy during her time here on the earth. We thank all her family and friends that visited and cared for her in her final days.
The family would like to thank her caregiver Heather, High Peaks Hospice and William Tedesco M.D., Albany Medical Center Neurology Group Eric Molho M.D., and Irongate Family Practice Paul Filion M.D., for their outstanding care and guidance provided to Cathy and the family.
Calling hours will be held at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls, on Monday, January 15, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the family invites all friends to attend at that time. A small funeral service will follow the calling hours, and all are invited to attend. Those who wish to attend remotely may log into a google meet at meet.google.com/pbt-ijaa-vuq.
A private burial service will be conducted in the spring at St. Mary’s cemetery in Fort Edward.
Flowers and
memorial gifts are welcome but not necessary. Donations can be made to St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 , Parkinson’s
Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, or Shriner’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa,
FL 33607.
I so enjoyed knowing Cathy and was fortunate to work with her at AngioDynamics. She was truly a beautiful woman and will be very missed. Sincere condolences to Mike and his family, know that her Angio family is thinking of you at this time.
Terry so sorry for your loss. Cathy will be truly missed.
Cathy, I will miss your friendship and how you always loved to decorated your home for each holidays. Will miss not being able to go shopping for hours at a time and having lunch and ice cream sundae and spending time with you. So many great memories.
My heart will always be broken but I know my dearest friend that you put up a fight years. Rest in peace.
Cathy was a true and faithful friend to our family. We will miss her dearly. She always had a smile on her face and thoroughly enjoyed sharing her memories of times together. Our prayers go out to her family and loved ones. Thanks for being such a dear friend of 60 years.
I met Cathy while working at AngioDynamics for many years. She was a very loving and caring friend to all of us. She always had a big smile on her face and a story to tell. I remember going to the movies with her and Bonnie to see Mama Mia. Oh how we laughed and laugh till we had tears. Spent many a day at her house for parties She would have. Her family was her everything and her Grandchildren were the apples of her eyes. We will miss you Cathy.
Terry and family, we are so sorry to hear about Cathys passing. Thank-you for letting Jim and I know the sad news. We are so sorry that we are unable to attend the service.
Although we are shocked to learn about our loss of a true and wonderful friend, it’s no surprise considering Cathys long suffering with the terrible disease.
Love and prayers are sent to you and the boys. Donna Cooley Wlliams and JIm
Terry and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Cathy and I were childhood friends, living around the corner from each other. We shared many happy times playing games outside with all the neighborhood friends. As pre teens we shared a love of Elvis Presley and his movie”Blue Hawaii”, and had so much fun re-enacting some of the scenes.
Cathy also kindly reached out to support me during the sad final days of my twin sister, Kathleen.
She will surely be missed by all who knew her kind and gentle spirit.
I find comfort, as I’m sure you do, in knowing she is in a much more comfortable place.
Heaven has gained another angel.🙏🕊
I worked with Cathy at Angio. Cathy was a sweetheart she always called me kirby and she and I talked on the phone of all our good times. I just picked up my phone and seen this. I am so sorry for your loss Terry and the family she is sure going to be missed. I will miss her very much