Kathryn Hardy

Kathryn Hardy, 55

West Sand Lake - Kathryn Hardy, 55, died suddenly on September 8, 2013. Kathryn was born on January 10, 1958 in San Francisco, CA. She grew up primarily in the Washington, D.C. area. She lived in the District as a child and moved to Taiwan with her family for 2 years in 1965. Her family returned to the U.S. and moved into a house in Vienna, VA. They went to live in Okinawa from 1971-1973. They returned to live in the house in Vienna. In the late 1970s Kathryn moved to Blacksburg, VA. In 1980 she moved to Barneveld, NY (Town of Trenton, Oneida County). She moved to the Albany area in 1984 and settled in West Sand Lake in 1985.

Kathryn is survived by her husband William Hardy, her children, Logan Hardy and Eliza Hardy (Garreth); her father Leroy Butkus (Nina) of Reston, VA., her mother Geraldine Butkus of West Sand Lake; her brother John Butkus (Lyoni) of Albany; her nieces Hannah and Lyndsay Butkus and her nephew Morgan Butkus. She was predeceased by her brother Michael.

Kathryn worked at the Old Journeys End restaurant in West Sand Lake from about 1987 to 1994. She worked as a Teacher's Aide at Algonquin Middle School from 1995-1999. During that time she attended Hudson Valley Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in 1999. She was a Teacher's Assistant at Algonquin from 1999-June 2001. She continued her education at SUNY Albany and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2002. She received her Masters Degree at the Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts in 2007. She has been teaching 8th grade English at Algonquin since 2003.

Kathryn was a literacy volunteer. She participated in the Capital District Writers' Group. She was a blood donor at the American Red Cross. She is an organ donor.

Kathryn loved to read. She loved to cook. She loved to can and freeze a variety of foods much of which she grew. She loved sitting by the fire in the winter and sitting in the sun in the summer. She loved to entertain friends. She loved discussing various issues and often these discussions came back to education. She cared deeply about education. She had a strong sense of social justice. She treated people fairly and with kindness. She knew when to speak and when to hold her tongue.

Kathryn loved to take walks, especially with her dear friend MB. She loved swimming in Crystal Lake with the ladies. She loved Moon Fest in North River. She loved to travel. She loved having her mother living close by and she loved going to visit her father and stepmother. She loved teaching English and every year she fell in love with a new group of students at Algonquin.

Kathryn's arms were always open. She never stopped learning. Her life was full of color and art and the people she loved. She will be remembered for her keen wit and warm heart. Her life ended too soon. She will be dearly missed.

Calling hours will be from 4 - 7 PM on Thursday, September 12, at the Salem United Methodist Church, 349 Shaver Road in West Sand Lake. A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Friday, September 13, at the Salem United Methodist Church on Shaver Road in West Sand Lake. There will be a reception following the memorial service at the West Sand Lake Fire Hall on Route 43.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Kathryn's memory can be made to the West Sand Lake Fire Department, P.O. Box 539, West Sand Lake, NY 12196 or to Sand Lake Ambulance, P.O. Box 222, West Sand Lake, NY 12196.

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