Obituary of Katherine H. Thompson

EAST BERNE – Katherine H. Thompson, 84, passed away on Friday November 8, 2019 at home. She was born on February 10, 1935 in Staten Island to the late Joseph and Elsie Restigini Arena. She was raised on Cole Hill Rd in East Berne and graduated from Berne Knox School in 1952. Kay worked at Berne Knox Westerlo School as a teacher’s assistant for 29 yrs and then was a substitute teacher’s assistant for 11 yrs. She enjoyed helping the elderly, helping with the Westerlo Summer Program, and loved to socialize. She also enjoyed word search puzzles, playing solitaire card games, doing arts and crafts, cooking, and baking. She was known for her Christmas Sherry Wine Cakes. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Merle Thompson; her sons, Stephen and Randolph Thompson; and her siblings, Anna Michaels and Joseph Arena, Jr.

Kay is survived by her children, Kimberly (Kevin) Slingerland and Jeffrey (Fran) Thompson; her grandchildren, Shane (Billie-Jo) Slingerland, Shelby (Doyle) Shaver, Natoshia (Kevin) VanValkenburg, and Shannon (Trent) Shaver; her great-grandchildren, Blake, Brody, Bradynn, Laiken, Molly, and Chaselyn; her sisters, Angelina Vinciguerra and Rosalie Azzue; and many nieces and nephews.

            Calling hours will be held on Thursday November 14th from 4 to 7 pm at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. A funeral service will be held on Friday November 15th at 11 am at the funeral home, followed by burial in the South Berne Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Ln., Latham, NY 12110 or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or to the Suicide Prevention Center of New York, 150 Broadway #301, Menands, NY 12204. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.