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Obituary Listings

Kathryn K. Wahl

June 22, 1926 January 3, 2025
Kathryn K. Wahl
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Obituary for Kathryn K. Wahl

Kathryn Kesack Wahl passed away on January 3rd, 2025, at the age of 98. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Nadine; granddaughters Dr. Alison Wahl (Dr. Kevin Reath); Dr. Lindsay Wahl (Patrick Martin); great-grandson, William Martin; brother, Bill Kesack; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sons Herbert Wahl, Jr., and Dr. Gary Wahl.


Kay was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and was part of a large Ukrainian-American family. She was the first person in her family to attend college; as a young woman she packed a suitcase and took a bus to Penn State, where she studied chemistry and graduated top of her class. She raised two boys and was active in her community in Broomall, PA. When her children were older she began working part-time for a chemical management company. Her career developed and she began directing operations for chemical and hazardous waste laboratories. Her work took her all over the country, from Connecticut to Idaho. At the time, she was one of very few women in the field of chemistry. She was extremely respected and valued by her colleagues for her keen intelligence, precision, and truly unparalleled work ethic.


Kay retired when her granddaughters were born, and she moved to Rochester to be close to her family. In her retirement she remained very active. She was a member of a Rochester General Hospital TWIG Branch and volunteered at the TWIG gift shop. She worked at H&R Block during tax season, was a volunteer usher at Geva Theater, the Auditorium Theater, and the RPO, and volunteered as a cashier at One World Goods. As a professional woman herself, Kay ardently supported working women’s causes. She was a member of Women in Engineering and the philanthropic women's scholarship organization, PEO. She was a member of the Webster Women's Club and served on several committees at Webster Presbyterian Church. As a Global Volunteer, Kay taught English in several European countries. She travelled extensively with close friends to places like Thailand, Bali, Greece, Fiji, Poland, Russia, and Italy.


Kay’s impeccable intelligence was apparent to everyone who knew her; her sharp mind was her most identifying feature. If you gave her any word, even a very long and complicated one, she could easily and instantly spell it out backwards. She loved crossword puzzles and reading. Kay belonged to several book clubs, and just the week before she died she read Sally Field's autobiography over a couple of days. She was an avid and winning bridge player, a competitive ballroom dancer, and she enjoyed playing and watching golf.


Kay was a devoted mother and grandmother; she was very involved with and supportive of her granddaughters. Family dinners at her house featured impressive roasts and potato pancakes with homemade applesauce and coleslaw. Kay was an excellent baker known particularly for her delicious fruit pies, which she sometimes made with fruit from the pear tree in her yard. She truly made life sweeter, and will be missed.


A service celebrating Kay's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford on March 1st at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Kay's name to the P.E.O., which was close to her heart: https://www.peointernational.org

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Upcoming Events

Celebration of Life

Saturday

1

Mar

2:00 PM 3/1/2025 2:00:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church

21 Church Street
Pittsford , NY 14534

First Presbyterian Church
21 Church Street Pittsford 14534 NY
United States

Memorial Contribution

P.E.O.

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