Kathleen A. Hess

Buskirk – Kathleen A. “Kay” Hess, 89, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. She had resided on Nick Mush Road in Buskirk, NY, with her husband of sixty-eight years, Arthur “Art” Hess.
Born on March 25, 1923, in Saranac Lake, NY, Kay was the daughter of the late Frederick and Mary Bridget “Minnie” Rushia. Kay graduated from Ausable Forks High School. She was formerly employed at the Hoosic Valley School as a secretary and also at H.V.C.C. as assistant to the Dean of Administration. Kay was very active throughout her life. She was a member of the Red Hatter Society and the Cheney Library Book Club, a 4-H leader, a costume director for Hoosic Valley School musicals and Treasurer for the Maverick Drum & Bugle Corps. She loved playing games, reading and doing crosswords. With all her activities, she remained humble, declining accolades for her successes. She was also a two-time cancer survivor and hosted breast cancer support group meetings.
Survivors, other than her husband Art, include their children Connie Gilbert and husband John of Buskirk, Kathy Hess Reneau of Carrollton, TX, Deborah Hess of Buskirk, Joyce Parmalee and husband Arthur of Stuart, FL, and Bill Spain and wife Sue of Ballston Spa, NY, her sisters, Patsy Ludwig and husband Milt of Mesa, AZ, and Eunice Dougherty of Morrisonville, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Angela Guido and Anthony Guido, both of Chicago, IL, Vanessa Guido and Daniel Plata of Carrollton, TX, Tracy Gilbert and Brian Busher of Buskirk, Jeff Gilbert and Christy Houde of Ypsilanti, MI, Madeline and Olivia Spain, both of Ballston Spa, and her great-grandchildren, Eleanor Kathleen Gilbert Busher and Luca Jacob.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 21, at 9 am from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY. Burial followed the service at the East Pittstown (NY) Cemetery. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Johnsonville Rescue Squad or the SWVMC Breast Care Program through the funeral home.
The Hess family would like to thank Doctors Lyon, Algus, Rogge and George and the staff at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for all they did for Kay and the family.