Kathleen Elizabeth Sweeney

Kathleen (Kathy) was born on November 17, 1945, at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was one of the first set of twins born at the hospital and the daughter of George Kolb Siegle and Catherine Elizabeth McCabe Siegle. She grew up in Beverly and Riverside, New Jersey, alongside her sister Mary Louise (Mary Lou) Cake and her fraternal twin brother, William L. (Billy) Siegle.

She was raised in a warm, friendly neighborhood surrounded by a large and loving extended family. Birthdays, holidays, vacations, and weekends were often spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, creating memories that stayed with her throughout her life.

Kathleen attended St. Peter’s School in Riverside and graduated from Holy Cross High School in Delran, New Jersey. After leaving Eastern Airlines, she continued her education at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Her early passions for learning and connection with others would carry forward throughout her life, especially in her work with children.

Kathleen worked as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines for 17 years, including during the early years of raising her family. With her grace, warmth, and adventurous spirit, she was perfectly suited for a life above the clouds. She loved seeing new places and meeting new people, and many of the friendships she made during those years remained throughout her life.

After raising her three children, Mark, Drew, and Ashley, she returned to school and pursued a new path in early childhood education. She became a preschool teacher at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, where she spent more than 25 years guiding, nurturing, and inspiring young children. She had a gift with kids, and so many families were impacted by her kindness.

One of the places that truly brought her joy was our family home in Crystal Lake, New York, in the Adirondacks. She loved to entertain, and that home became a gathering place for so many. Friends, neighbors, and extended family would come together there to celebrate life. One of our most treasured memories is of being there as children, hearing her unmistakable laugh from our bedrooms as we drifted off to sleep. Her smile, so radiant and full of life, would light up every room she entered.

She also loved quiet mornings on the porch with a cup of coffee, listening to the mourning doves and watching chipmunks dart across the lawn, often with a beloved dog or granddog resting at her feet. She spent peaceful hours out on the lake in her canoe, taking in the beauty and calm of the Adirondacks. Those simple moments brought her deep joy.

As a mother, she gave everything she had. She made sure her children always knew they were loved, supported, and never alone. If there was anything she could do for them, she would, no matter the cost to herself. That selflessness and unconditional love shaped them in ways they are still discovering.

To her grandchildren, John and Beckett, she was known as “Mommom.” She loved reading to them, singing songs from her years in the classroom, and simply being present for every giggle, hug, and story. She adored them, and they adored her.

She found peace in her garden, where she spent countless hours planting and caring for the most beautiful flowers. Music was part of her everyday life, often playing softly in the background. It brought her joy, comfort, and a sense of connection that stayed with her throughout her life.

Kathleen and Daniel Sweeney shared three children together during their years of marriage. While their paths later diverged, their bond as parents remained through the family they brought into the world.

In the years following her divorce, Kathleen found love and companionship again with Bob Charles Schultheis, a kind and devoted partner who brought light back into her life. They shared a bond filled with laughter, comfort, and mutual respect. Bob made her truly happy, and their time together was filled with warmth and care.

Kathleen leaves behind a legacy that is difficult to put into words. She is survived by her children Mark Sweeney, Ashley Sweeney, and Drew Sweeney, and by Drew’s wife Rachel and their two sons, John and Beckett. She is also survived by her sister Mary Louise (Mary Lou) and brother Bill, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members, as well as the countless friends, former students, and neighbors who loved her deeply.

She will be remembered not only for the love she gave to her family, but also for the countless children she taught and the lives she touched with her warmth, humor, and grace. Though she has moved on to a better place, her spirit lives on in every one of us.

In lieu of sending flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lakewood Ranch location of the YMCA. Give | YMCA of Southwest Florida.

A celebration of her life will be held in the coming months to remember the remarkable woman we were lucky enough to call our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.