Kathleen Couse

Kathleen Couse (Kay) passed away on November 10, 2021, at the age of 86. Kay was a 71 year resident of Stanfordville, New York. She moved to Hunns Lake with her parents, David and Marie Robertson, from Brooklyn, in 1950.  She married her high school sweetheart, Fred Couse, in 1953. They had been married for 54 years when Fred passed in 2007. They had four children, Fred Jr. (married to Nicole) of Milan, NY, Patricia (married to James Shockley) of Boynton Beach, FL, Steven of Troy, NY and Barbara (married to Patrick Adams) of Poughkeepsie. “Nana” leaves 8 grandchildren (Christopher Couse, Brian Couse, Stacey Burlingame, James Shockley Jr., Corey Bolen, Jinah Shockley, Quinn Adams and Tyler Adams) and 9 great-grandchildren (Julian, Emma and Owen Couse, Olivia and Finley Burlingame, Asa and Samuel Shockley and Hudson and Paige Bolen).

Kay’s brother David Robertson passed this summer, while brothers Donald Robertson and Allan Robertson and his wife, Diane, survive her. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Margaret Smith of Middlebury, VT, and her daughter-in-law, Linda Couse, of Rhinebeck, NY. As beloved matriarch, Kay (Mom, Nana, Aunt Kay) was dearly loved and cherished by all in this large loving family.

Kay worked for the Pine Plains School District as teacher’s aide, and library aide for over 20 years. She loved the relationships she had with the students, and over the years, many have shared the impact that she had on their lives.

Kay and Fred moved to Essex Junction, Vermont, in 1980 as Fred was transferred to Burlington with IBM.  During that time, they purchased and renovated a cabin on Lake Dunmore, Vermont. They returned to their home in Stanfordville in 1985 but enjoyed weekends and summers at the lake house for the next 3 decades. The extended family has countless precious memories of their time with Nana and Poppop at the lake.

In retirement, Kay remained very active in her beloved Stanfordville community. She was an active leader at the Bangall United Methodist Church. She volunteered for countless missions, such as serving meals to homeless people and working at the United Church of Christ Thrift Shop. As president of the local Forever Young club, Kay helped organize trips and outings for the seniors of Stanford. Well into her 80’s, Kay was enjoying trips to theaters, historical landmarks, and points of interest near and far, with her dear friends.

Kay’s passing leaves an immeasurable hole in the hearts of her children, grand and great-grand children, extended family and community friends.

There will be a Christian Memorial Service for Kay at the Bangall United Methodist Church at 10am on Friday, November 19th. Following the service, family and friends are invited to a “Celebration of Kay’s Life” at Lia’s Mountain View Restaurant in Pine Plains, starting at 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, Kay’s wishes were that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.