Katherine R. Glaessner

1943 - 2023

Katherine R Glaessner 1943 - 2023 Agawam Katherine R. (Woods) Glaessner, "Kathy", "Woodsy", "Mom", "Ma G", or "Mimi", died on March 29, 2023 at the age of 79, surrounded by her loved ones in her Agawam home following a stoic battle with metastatic mesothelioma. Kathy was born December 20, 1943 in Springfield, MA. She was the eldest daughter of the late William and Catherine (Lynch) Woods. She was raised in Feeding Hills, MA and graduated from Agawam High School in 1961. She then attended the Mercy School of Nursing where she was class secretary, earning her RN degree in 1964. Kathy was a dedicated and compassionate nurse. She worked as an RN in many settings, including the CICU at Mercy Hospital, the Mercy Weldon Center for Rehabilitation and in skilled nursing care before retiring as a staff allergy nurse for the ENT offices of Keenan, Malladi and O'Neill. In addition to her passion for nursing, Kathy was a voracious reader and enjoyed attending and hosting book club meetings. She belonged to the WIT (Women Investing Today) stock club, was a member of the Red Hats and enjoyed the, "Friday Night Friends" get-togethers with her close friends. She was a devout Irish Catholic and in addition to being a Eucharistic Minister, Kathy belonged to the church guild at St. John the Evangelist in Agawam. She loved spending time gardening, reading by the pool, boating with her family on the open ocean in Connecticut and with dear friends every summer on Spofford Lake, NH. Kathy's kindness and open manner drew people to her. She developed many dear, close friends, establishing special life-long bonds, especially with her nursing comrades. A wooden plaque on her kitchen window sill reads, "It takes a long time to grow old friends." Above all, Kathy's greatest love was caring for and spending time with her 5 beloved grandchildren, Kathryn and Joseph Glaessner and Samuel, Julia and William Dobson. Kathy is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 56 years, Robert Glaessner of Agawam, her beloved daughter Tracy Ann Dobson and her husband Douglas (Hatfield, MA) her cherished son, Todd William Glaessner and his wife Christine (Agawam), her close, caring sisters Nancy Hart (Greg) and Martha Morytko (both from Westfield) in addition to many relatives and friends. The Glaessner family would like to thank the D'Amour Center for Cancer Care and the amazing team of professionals from Baystate Hospice for their exceptional and compassionate care of Kathy. Calling hours will take place on Tuesday, April 4, from 4-7P.M. at Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA. A celebration of Kathy's life will be held on Wednesday, April 5 at 9:45A.M. directly at St. John the Evangelist Church, 833 Main Street, Agawam, MA with burial immediately following at The Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery 1390 Main Street Agawam, MA. Memorial Contributions in Kathy's memory may be made to The Open Pantry, Baystate Hospice or a charity of your choice.