Kathryn B. Mccleery

Kathryn B. McCleery, a lifelong resident of Rockland County whose family heritage dates back in NY to the early 1700’s, died Friday May 6th 2011. She was born June 3rd 1918, the daughter of Edward and Marguerite Snyder Bell of Garnerville, NY. Kathryn graduated from Haverstraw High School in 1935 and from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1938. She led an active life at the University as president of the Kappa Agonian Sorority and a member of the Dramatic Club, the Chorus, and soccer team. She began her career teaching fifth grade at Cornwall-on-Hudson, later teaching third, fourth, and fifth grades at Airmont School, Chestnut Grove Elementary School, Monsey Elementary School, and Grandview Elementary. She retired in 1980. She was a member of the Minisceango Yacht Club and the Shatemuc Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Kay was married to Thomas F. McCleery, also a lifelong resident of the county. They were married at the New Hempstead Presbyterian Church on June 25th 1939. Thomas worked for Ford Motor Company at the Central Ford Dealership in Spring Valley and in Suffern. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Minisceango Yacht Club and the Free Masons. Kay and Tom loved boating and together they spent much time on their boat “Tom-Kat”. After retirement they stayed by the water running the snack shack at the Minisceango Yacht Club. Kay was predeceased by her husband Thomas, by her much loved younger sister Joan B. Anderson, and her brother-in-law Robert C. Anderson of Stony Point. Kay will be missed dearly by her two sons, Thomas McCleery and his wife Gunnel of Jacksonville, FL and Harold “Murph” McCleery and his wife Carol of Greenwich, CT; her loving grandchildren, Brand McCarley and his wife Marci of Frisco, TX, Brian McCleery of Greenwich, CT, and Kimberly McCleery; her great-grandchild, Kaseleigh McCarley ; her niece Jean Forman and her husband David of Carlisle, MA; her niece Kathy Sanchez and her husband Ray of Stony Point; her nephew Ed Anderson and his wife Debbie of Tomkins Cove; her grandnieces Karen Varblow , Susie Twadell , Raylene Sanchez, Kristina Anderson & Brittany Anderson; her grandnephew Bobby Sanchez, and numerous great grandnieces & nephews, and her dearest friends on Pine Drive, Stony Point. Family & friends may visit at the Michael J Higgins Funeral Home at 73 North Liberty Drive, Stony Point, NY 10980 (845-786-3500) @10am on Thursday May 12th 2011 with a lunch following the service and burial at Mt Repose Cemetery.