Catherine "Kittie" Haeussler

Athens, NY- On the 4th of July, 2024 , Catherine (Kittie) Haeussler, passed away at the age of 100 years. She was born in Catskill, NY on March 3, 1924 to Esther Buccigross DeSantis and Domenick DeSantis. Catherine led a long, productive life and made a lasting impact on her community. Graduating from St. Patrick’s High School at age 16 she continued her education at St. Peter’s School of Nursing in Albany NY. She graduated with an RN degree and worked at St. Peter’s Hospital and Greene Co. Memorial Hospital for decades. Following that she worked as a Portamedic nurse doing insurance physical exams in Greene and Columbia counties for 20 years. In 1950 Catherine married Charles Haeussler, Jr and raised four children. She was a co-owner with her husband of Charlie’s Mobil Gas Station, which included a restaurant and general store. Loyal customers will remember her homemade “lunch specials”. Upon the death of her husband, who was a member of the Town Board of Athens, she was elected to his position and served for 16 years, the last 8 as Deputy Supervisor. Her other public service endeavors included an appointment by the Greene Co Legislature to the Community Services Board where she served for 16 years, 6 as President. Kittie was a member of the Greene Co. Rural Health Network serving terms as Secretary and Committee Chair. She was instrumental in the formation and leadership of the Athens Narcotic Council and was on the advisory board of the D.R. Evarts Library in Athens. She served on the Athens Youth Commission, and worked with the Ad Hoc Committee studying the redrafting of Local Laws Kittie was Treasurer of the Catskill Mountain Housing Development Fund Board which brought two senior citizen housing projects to Athens. At Rivertown Senior Citizen Housing, she started on the Advisory Board and later became President. She served in that capacity into her 90s, proudly officiating at the opening of phase 2, and retired with well-deserved accolades. For many years Kittie volunteered to take blood pressures at the Senior Center and local banks. She also spent time volunteering at Anthem Health Services. Kittie was a devoted Catholic and served as Eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Church in Catskill. She was an active volunteer at St. Patrick’s schools where her children attended. This long life of service to her community brought Kittie recognition and numerous awards, but her family always came first, and she cherished her time with each of them. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Karen and (Terry) Nash, Maribeth and (Craig) Collins, Bruce and (Kim) Haeussler; grandchildren, Tara Nash (Ryan), Peter Collins (Kayla), Carly Haeussler Bolo (Gilbert), Jayme Harford (Tom), and Nathan Pieruzzi (Tiffany); great grandchildren, Siena and Nash Wastell, Kapena Bolo, Gwenyth and Angeline Harford, and Lydia and Maria Pieruzzi; nephews Domenick DeSantis (Kittie) and Thomas DeSantis; nieces Christine Castonguay (Ben), Mary Blenner, Jane Kern (Milton), and Nancy Terrell (Robert). She was predeceased by her husband Charles H. Haeussler Jr; son, Charles A. Haeussler; grandson, Matthew Nash; brothers, Domenick and Joseph DeSantis; half-brothers Julian, William, Albert, Reginald, Felix, Cosmo and Damian DeSantis; nephew, Robert DeSantis; and nieces, Kathleen O’Brien and Betty Flanagan. Kittie treasured all her dear friends and in her later years remained close with Rose Brooks and Pam Dallas. We extend a special recognition of appreciation to her caretakers, Patrena King, Janna Welch, and Quinasia Welch. They provided her with compassionate, loving care for almost 5 years. One of her close friends, Bob Van Valkenburgh, said this: “Kittie is one of those very special people who really cares, bringing a human side to government...always a lady, she is as at-ease in a highway garage or at a construction site as she is at a Board Meeting or at her kitchen table serving an apple pie. She is truly an exceptional person”. She will be deeply missed. Services will be at the W.C. Brady’s Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, N.Y., 12051, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Mass will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 9:30 A.M. at The St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 80 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, N.Y., 12051. Interment will follow in the family plot of The St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Jefferson Avenue, Catskill, N.Y., 12414. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rivertown Senior Housing, 19 Third St., Athens, NY 12015, or the Greene County Nutrition Program, 411 Main St., Catskill, NY 12414. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wcbradyssonsinc.net

Catherine "Kittie" Haeussler

March 3, 1924 - July 4, 2024