Kara Jean Fleming

Our hearts are broken to share that our fearless and beloved sister, Kara Jean Fleming passed away Sunday evening August 25, 2024 at home after a lengthy and courageous battle with Huntington's Disease (HD). Kara was born March 11, 1972 in Suffern, New York to Denis P. Fleming, Sr. and Eileen T. Fleming and the youngest of 6 children. A lifetime resident of Pearl River, New York, Kara attended St. Margaret's elementary school, Pearl River High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY.
Kara was a beautiful soul inside and out who's passion for teaching kids, theatre, music, family and friends was unlimited. At a very early age she demonstrated her love for music and dance by often singing at family parties and get-togethers. Her theatrical talents were spotted even earlier. As an infant and by happenstance, Kara was selected by a talent agency to appear in a CBS soap opera "Where the Heart Is" which ran for a number of years. Aside from her natural baby beauty of brown curly hair, sparkling hazel eyes and rosy cheeks, the producer selected Kara because of her easy going nature in front of the camera. Likely due to being lifted and carried countless times by family and friends. Her acting/musical career continued in elementary school but blossomed in high school where she was awarded state singing honors and landed many lead roles in the school plays. During high school and beyond, Kara was often asked to sing at weddings for friends and families because of her golden voice.
After graduating from college Kara began pursuing her second passion, teaching elementary children in the Pearl River school district. Eager to follow in the footsteps of her numerous mentors; her devoted mother, aunt, sister and dear cousins. Similar to her acting/music talents, Kara was a natural educator. Her students adored her and she was at home in front of class teaching elementary children. Unfortunately, her teaching career was prematurely upended due to the outward symptoms of HD. Always the fighter, she continued to work part time for as long as she was able with her brother locally and volunteered at HDSA in New York City.
Shortly after sharing the difficult news with her incredible friends about her dire HD diagnosis, they decided to help her during her difficult journey and others in the community battling HD. Their goal was to create a charity to raise awareness, raise funds for potential cures and support local families. Thus the creation of TeamKJ. A special community charity born out of love and started by loyal, caring and generous friends in the Pearl River community during her challenging HD journey. For over 12 years TeamKJ ran an annual duathlon, 5K Race/Walk, 300 Club dinners followed by post race BBQ & party. The net result was tens of thousands of dollars raised for local HD families caregiving and for renowned research centers like U.C. Davis Movement Disorder dedicated to finding a cure for HD.
In an age where HD was still stigmatized due to its hereditary implications, Kara was unabashed in being a HD profile in courage if it could ultimately help other families impacted. This platform for change was possible because of the deep love and respect so many had for Kara. Kara's legacy will be defined as being a leading warrior against HD, who in the face of the most challenging of times, demonstrated grace, courage, resilience, determination and never ending love of family, friends and God. Kara will live on in the hearts of those who loved her therefore her spirit will carry on.
Kara is survived by her loving and faithful caregiver mother, Eileen T. Fleming, Catherine Lacovara (Bill), Pine Bush, NY, Bernadette O'Connell (Liam) Cohaset, MA, Denis P. Fleming, jr. (Karen), Pearl River, NY, Michael Fleming (Kathleen) New York, NY, and Margaret Kennedy (Keith), Pearl River, NY. In addition, adoring nieces and nephews: Meghan, Erin, William, Kieran & Catie Lacovara; Caitlin, Kevin, Brendan & Liam O'Connell; Denis, Reagan & Marin Fleming; Quinn, Shane and Maeve Kennedy. And our loving cousins: Mary, Eileen, Colleen Sheila McLinskey and families. Arlene and Michael Shaughnessy. Kara was predeceased by her father, Denis P. Fleming.
Thank you to all the caregivers who helped us day in day out for over 2 decades, especially our dear Marci.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a gift in Kara Jean's memory to the Hereditary Disease Foundation, an organization dedicated to curing Huntington's disease at https://www.hdfoundation.org/donate-today To make a donation in Kara's name you can go to the HDF website https://www.hdfoundation.org/donate-today or send donation by mail to the following address: Hereditary Disease Foundation, 601 W. 168th St. Suite 54, New York, NY 10032. Please include Kara Jean's name in the gift. There's an option on the donate page to make gives in memory of someone or they can include it on a check.
Calling Hours will take place at Wyman Fisher,100 Franklin Ave., Pearl River, NY on Wed. 8/28 from 5-8pm, Thur. 8/29 from 3-5pm and 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 30th at 10AM at St. Aedan's R.C Church, Pearl River, NY followed by a burial at Ascension Cemetery, Airmont, NY.