Kathleen “Kathy” Marie Gallivan Casazza passed away on Friday, December 15, at the age of 75 surrounded by family.
Kathy was born on March 13, 1948, at Brady Maternity Hospital in Albany, N.Y. to Charles Gillette Gallivan and Dorothy Margaret Carroll Gallivan. She grew up in Guilderland, N.Y. and attended Marylrose Academy (now the Academy of the Holy Names). She graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, N.Y. in 1970 then started a brief but impactful career as an early education teacher. Upon returning to Albany, her career diverted from education to oversight of Medicaid health care reimbursement when she was hired by New York State. She had a long, successful career working for NY State Department of MMIS until her retirement after over 30 years of service.
Kathy will be remembered as someone with an infectious laugh who loved to spend time with and take care of her family. She made sure those in her circle got a greeting card, with treats for the kids, on all known and unknown holidays and birthdays. She enjoyed everything about celebrating the holidays, whether she was cooking signature dishes and pies or marathon shopping until midnight on Christmas Eve for the perfect gift. She had a passion for painting and drawing, which she channeled through crafts later in life. She was a sun goddess, spending many a vacation on beaches from Connecticut to Florida. Even though Alzheimer’s took hold during the beginning of a retirement filled with hopes and dreams, she had a smile in her eyes to the end.
She is survived by a daughter, Kristin Casazza Carroll (Greg Carroll); and four grandchildren who were precious to her, Samantha, Molly, Maggie and Brandon. She also leaves behind her brother, Michael T. Gallivan (Cheryl Prudhomme) of Ft. Edward, N.Y.; her nieces and nephews, Kerry Gallivan, (Heather Carbone) of South Boston, Mass., Shannon Gallivan Reo (Steven Reo) of Poestenkill, N.Y., Sean Gallivan (Lisa Gallivan) of Menands, N.Y., Kourtney Gallivan Oliver (Ron Oliver) of Gainesville, Fla., Brendan Gallivan (Jamie Gallivan) of Brunswick, N.Y.; and her great-nieces and nephews: Kelsey, Sean Jr., Caden Gallivan, Jada and Jayden Oliver, Brendan Jr. and Alana Gallivan.
A small, private service for friends and family will be held at Roney Funeral Home in Grafton, Mass. A gathering for friends and family to celebrate her life will be scheduled in Albany, early next year, where she will be buried in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, with her mother and father.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Kathy’s memory to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, and this organization is working hard to raise funds to support research for a cure.