Katherine M. Sinclair, a founding member of Kendal on Hudson retirement community, passed away on October 19, 2021, only a few short months after celebrating her 90th birthday.
The daughter of James and Alice D. Sinclair, Kay was born and raised in Spring Valley, NY, back when Rockland County was rural. Being an only child, she found creative ways to have fun on her own. That talent would play a big part in her life to come.
An excellent student, Kay received B.A. and M.A. degrees from SUNY Albany. After her father’s premature death, she became the family breadwinner as an English teacher at Junior and Senior High Schools on Long Island NY, and at the Tottington Secondary Modern School in Lancashire, England. She often shared funny stories of that time in England, including how she placed a warm brick in her bed on chilly nights!
Kay moved on from teaching to become an Editor at Reader’s Digest in Chappaqua, NY, where her wonderful sense of humor helped curate funny anecdotes submitted by subscribers. She was well known for always having a smile on her face! Following her retirement from the Digest, Kay moved into an Independent Living residence at Kendal.
Those years allowed her to engage in her passion more fully for music, with woodwind instruments like the recorder and proficiency on piano and guitar. Kay loved to participate as a musician with the Holy Innocents Church choir. While at Kendal, she also used her ingenuity to help form the Co-Pilot Pro-gram, where residents volunteer to accompany others in trips to the hospital. The program won In-novation of the Year from Leading Age, an advocacy organization representing NY State’s CCRCs.
Kay was also predeceased by her mother and is survived by her cousins Tom Fuchs and Bob Fuchs.
Visitation is 2-4PM on 10/26 at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on 10/28 at Holy Innocents Church in Pleasantville.