Wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, lawyer, philanthropist, advocate, hero, role model, and legend Katharine Wilson Conroy, known to all as Kathy, who became a lawyer while raising her five sons, died on the morning of Thursday, April 16, 2026, after a long illness. She was 83. Kathy was born in 1942, in Yonkers, New York, the daughter of Malcolm Wilson (a politician) and Katharine McCloskey Wilson (a pianist). At that time her father was serving his country overseas, so she and her mother spent several of her formative years in the same house with her beloved Lane cousins.
Kathy attended Elizabeth Seton Academy, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Massachusetts. During her time at both places she was fortunate enough to make many close friends, all of whom she loved dearly til the end of her life. She received her M.A. from Columbia Teachers College, and taught high school English in White Plains, and night school in New Rochelle.
In the summer of 1965, one of her fellow teachers invited her to a beach weekend in Sea Girt, New Jersey, which is where she met John Conroy, known to his friends as Jack. One version of that story is that Jack hit a home run that day in a game of wiffle ball. Whether or not the legend is true, he definitely hit a home run, because the following summer Kathy married Jack. By 1973 they had four sons (Sean, Chris, Emmet, and Brendan), and Kathy had started doing lots of work with the PTA at Daniel Webster Elementary School.
Kathy’s father had served as lieutenant governor of New York State for 15 years when Nelson Rockefeller resigned and Malcolm was appointed governor. He decided to seek election in 1974 and Kathy became an enthusiastic campaigner for him. She travelled all over New York State campaigning for him, giving speeches and meeting with political groups. For example, she spoke at the re-dedication of Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh and brought the boys with her. In addition to her speech that day, she managed to finagle the flints from the flintlock muskets of several Revolutionary War re-enactors for her sons, who needless to say were absolutely thrilled.
Around this time, Kathy realized that raising four children (and all the soccer games, runny noses, parent-teacher meetings, toy possession disputes, bedtime stories, contagions, picky eating, birthday party entertaining, and of course the unmitigated joy that entailed) was not nearly challenging enough. So she decided to go to Fordham University Law School, the same school from which her father had graduated many years before. Between her first and second year, she had her fifth son (Greg).
She graduated from Fordham with her Juris Doctor, passed the bar, and in 1980 joined the law firm of Kent Hazzard in White Plains. Though well-versed in all aspects of the legal system, she specialized in estate planning, guardianship, and real estate law.
While practicing law, and continuing to raise her sons, she followed in her mother’s footsteps and got involved in a variety of philanthropic activities. She served for many years on the board of the Visiting Nurse Services of Westchester, an organization her mother had helped to found. She was a founding member of Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester. She joined the board of the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation, as well as the boards of Fordham Preparatory School and Regis High School. This was followed by her service on the board of Westchester Arc, a group dedicated to fostering independence, community integration, and improved quality of life for children, teens, and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. Eventually, she became the president. She moved on to the board of NYSARC, which serves the entire state of New York. There, too, she eventually became president. She finished her tenure there, then chaired the NYSARC Guardianship Committee, which provides legal guardians, advocacy, and decision-making support for those same individuals when families are unable to do so. She also followed in the footsteps of her father, the politician. She joined the New Rochelle Zoning Board and served a term on the New Rochelle City Council.
None of this distracted her from continuing to deal adeptly with orthodonture, basketball games, exchange students, school musicals, first jobs, driving lessons, prom tuxedos, the same old runny noses, and even more unmitigated joy. During that time and throughout their marriage, she and Jack travelled. And travelled, and travelled. They went together to some of the most interesting places in the world: Paris, Athens, Rome, Madrid, Munich, Sicily, Ephesus, St. Petersburg, Budapest, Prague… the list is long. They also took their sons with them on numerous family expeditions: Paris, Madrid, Dublin, Managua, Cinnamon Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and of course, Disneyworld.
Her law practice had continued, and after some time she took over as managing partner at Kent Hazzard. She also, to her great and everlasting delight, became a grandmother several times over (ultimately, ten!). After 31 years at Kent Hazzard, she left the firm, and in 2011 became “of counsel” to the Scarsdale firm Bertine Huffnagel, where she continued to practice until her retirement in 2025.
She loved coffee ice cream, mystery novels, people who wear their bike helmets, musical theater, driving, driving fast, disputing speeding tickets, fresh summer tomatoes with cottage cheese, Christmas parties (especially her own), eating the burnt toast, talking to strangers (especially on elevators), throwing open the curtains and singing “Rise and Shine” to wake her sons, and proper grammar. She had a dry, sarcastic wit, and she loved to laugh, and did it often and generously. She loved her sons more than any of that, and her grandchildren even more than that. Most of all, she loved her husband, Jack.
She was adored by her family: her loving husband of almost 60 years, Jack, and her sons and their spouses, Sean, Chris (Lisa), Emmet (Amy), Brendan (Nicole), and Greg (Ul). She was the loving and doting Mimi to her grandchildren, her pride and joy: Lily, Kate, Jack, Kevin, Ryan, Declan, Charlie, Rowan, Caroline, and Malcolm. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Malcolm and Katharine Wilson, her sister Anne Matthews, and her nephew David Matthews.
She never missed a chance to try as hard as she could to make the world a better place. There is no doubt she succeeded.
There will be a wake Friday, April 24 from 4-8 PM at the Fred McGrath and Son Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, New York, 10708. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 25th, at The Church of the Holy Family, 83 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY, 10801. Father Michael Greco, OFM Cap., will be the celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Arc New York, 29 British American Boulevard, Latham, NY 12110, or the charity of your choice.
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Carolyn Holodak says
April 20, 2026 at 7:47 pmI am so sorry about Kathy she was a real nice person she always drove me home from the board meetings I will miss her a lot
Lauren Sheehy says
April 20, 2026 at 9:04 pmKathy was a most beautiful, intelligent, witty, competent, and admired person. And a wonderful friend to my mother, Morna.
All my love to Jack and the Conroy boys.
Love, Lauren Sheehy (‘Lawngen’ as Kathy affectionately would call me when I was a young girl)
Lesia Williams-Nowlin says
April 21, 2026 at 8:03 amWe extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Catherine, As part of our guardianship community, we were privileged to know her and witness the light she brought to those around her.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unsee, unheard, but always near; still, loved, still missed, and very dear”
With heartfelt sympathy,
The Guardianship Committee
The Arc Greater Hudson Valley NY (Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess)
Ray Bertrand says
April 21, 2026 at 8:24 pmJohn so sorry for your loss.. It sounds like you and Katharine had a wonderful life together. You and your family will be in our prayers. 🙏
Erica Berman says
April 21, 2026 at 10:29 pmKathy’s passing leaves a profound void in both my professional life and my heart. I had the privilege of working alongside her for many years in her roles as Board of Governor, President of The Arc New York and Chairperson of the NYSARC Guardianship Committee. In my role as staff liaison, I came to rely deeply on her wisdom, her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her steadfast advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Katharine brought a rare combination of sharp intellect, integrity, and compassion to everything she did. She had a remarkable ability to elevate the work of those around her—whether by refining a report with her keen eye for detail, strengthening policy with thoughtful insight, or simply offering guidance grounded in experience and care. She held us all to a higher standard, always with the goal of ensuring that the individuals we support received the very best services, care and advocacy.
Beyond her professional impact, Kathy was a mentor and a true friend. She was kind, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate, and I will forever be grateful for the time I shared with her and the lessons she imparted.
My heartfelt condolences go out to her beloved husband, her five sons, their families, including her ten cherished grandchildren. Her legacy lives on through her family and through the countless lives she touched with her advocacy, leadership, and love.
She will be deeply missed and always remembered.
Livia Devereux says
April 23, 2026 at 11:17 amDear Jack and family:
My condolences on the loss of a wonderful woman. I loved working with Kathy and getting to know her through her stories of her family and life experiences. A giving person, going above and beyond to help those in need. She will be missed and remembered fondly.
Joan Tarangioli Dupay says
April 23, 2026 at 12:15 pmSo sad to hear. Growing up on Park Hill in Yonkers, I have such fond memories of the Wilson family. I remember Kathy’s engaging smile and laugh much like her mom’s and dad’s. What an interesting, accomplished and memorable life she lived. My condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
McGowan Family says
April 23, 2026 at 12:49 pmNothing like stirring up great memories 50 years in the making.
From our time living as neighbors in New Rochelle, through working relationships in White Plains.
Our sincerest condolences to you all and may God Bless the family moving forward.
Charlotte, Mark, Matthew and Melanie McGowan
Linda Ishkanian says
April 23, 2026 at 3:25 pmI was in many of Kathy’s classes at Fordham Law School, and although our paths never crossed after graduation, the moment I saw her name in the Dean’s email I remembered her perfectly. She was an inspiration for those of us who had come to the law school right out of college and whose main focus was to be a student. We knew Kathy had responsibilities at home and was expecting a baby during the very challenging first year, and we marveled at how she was managing to handle it all. Whenever I would feel overwhelmed by the volume of work we had to do, I would look over to the front right of the classroom where she always sat, and remind myself if Kathy could do it, I could too.
My deepest condolences to you all.
Eva says
April 27, 2026 at 7:44 amI am deeply sorry for the loss of your mother. My prayers are with you. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that your mom is at peace and that she is always with you in spirit. May you cherish her memory forever.
Fred H McGrath & Son, Inc. is a third generation; family owned and operated Funeral Home. Located in the Village of Bronxville, the McGrath family has been serving the surrounding communities of Bronxville, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers and Scarsdale since 1918.
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