Cindy W. McKernon

HUDSON FALLS – Cindy W. McKernon, 66, a long-time resident of Hudson Falls, passed away Tuesday morning, July 23, 2024 at Granville Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Born on October 9, 1957 in Schenectady, NY, she was the daughter of Guy and June Woodruff.

Cindy was a graduate of Hudson Falls High School where she was a standout scholastically, being inducted into the National Honor Society and graduating in the top 10 of her class.

Musically, she was a very talented choralier, appearing as Leisl in The Sound of Music and as lead role of Laurie in Oklahoma.

After graduating from high school, she attended Crane School of Music at Potsdam, eventually graduating with a degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Cindy first taught sixth grade at Kensington Road School in Glens Falls. However, when the school system cut back and her job was eliminated, she took a different career path. She worked at several jobs before she began work in Customer Service at Genpak Corporation. She remained at Genpak until she became sick, eventually being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1992.

At the same time, her daughter was in first grade at Hudson Falls with teacher Emma Homenick. Emma became a wonderful friend to her and so, as she recovered from her illness associated with the onset of MS, she became a volunteer in Emma’s first grade class. This continued until Emma retired, at which point she went on to volunteer in multiple Hudson Falls elementary school classes. She loved the children and ironically, the illness that took her out of the workforce, helped to give back to her the opportunity to teach again.

In the Arts community, she appeared with the Schuylerville Community Theater, the Glens Falls Community Theater and the Lake George Opera. She also sang, and was a soloist, with the Master Singers (now Adirondack Voices) in Glens Falls. She was a choir member and soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls since she was 12.

Cindy is predeceased by her father, Guy Woodruff. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Kendall McKernon of Hudson Falls; her daughter, Kathleen McKernon of Latham; a sister, Wendy O’Leary and her husband, Tom of Húdson Falls; a nephew, Guy Chaklis; and a niece, Keara O’Leary. Other than family, the most important person in Cindy’s life was Joyce Irwin, affectionately referred to as “Auntie Joyce”.

A Celebration of Life will be announced in the future.