Katherine Dexter

In Lieu of Flowers, please consider donating to one of the organizations that were important to her:
Clarissa Street Legacy: PO Box 24170 Rochester, NY 14624
https://www.clarissastreetlegacy.com/donate
GRAR Black Caucus: 3445 Winton Pl, Suite 220, Rochester, NY 14623, in memo section (Katherine Sprague-Dexter)
Women's Council of Realtors: 3445 Winton Pl, Suite 220, Rochester, NY 14623, in memo section (Katherine Sprague-Dexter)
Katherine E. Dexter, born on November 5, 1946, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025, with her beloved husband and companion of over 40 years by her side. Kathy grew up in a large, close-knit family in Rochester, New York. With eight siblings, her childhood was filled with warmth, laughter, and the deep bonds of a loving family. As adults, Kathy and her siblings gathered nearly every weekend, allowing their children to grow up more like siblings than just cousins.
Katherine earned an associate's degree in business and began her professional journey at Kodak, a cornerstone of the Rochester community. In her role in Human Resources, she was known as a "gate opener"-a woman of integrity who championed fairness, opportunity, and equity. She ensured that qualified African Americans received the same opportunities as others and treated every employee with compassion, especially those navigating retirement or health challenges. Her kindness, commitment, and sense of justice made a lasting impact.
After retiring from Kodak, Katherine embarked on a second career as a real estate agent. Her dedication and excellence led her to form many new connections and friendships over the years. She utilized her strong communication skills, tireless work ethic, and love for people to achieve success. Her strong desire to help others was evident in her provision of leadership and mentorship to those around her. In fact, two organizations have established scholarships in her honor to support future real estate professionals. Kathy's legacy -both literally and figuratively-has helped families open doors, and now, through these scholarships, will continue to help families find homes and new beginnings.
Katherine's love for her community extended far beyond her professional life. She served as a court advocate with CASA, standing up for children in challenging circumstances. Katherine volunteered in soup kitchens and instilled in her family the importance of giving back, working side by side with her children from an early age. Her lifetime of service earned her recognition as an elder in the community.
She also served as treasurer for the Clarissa Street Legacy, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of the once-thriving Clarissa Street neighborhood. Her commitment helped sustain the annual Clarissa Street Reunion, a celebration of culture, resilience, and shared heritage. Katherine's work ensured that the stories and legacy of the community lived on.
Katherine had unmatched gifts for gardening and home decorating. Each season brought new beauty to her home, where she welcomed guests with her radiant smile, joyful dances, and always a thoughtful gift to take home. Her presence made people feel seen, cared for, and loved.
Katherine's life was defined by generosity, warmth, and a profound commitment to others. Her legacy lives on in her family, her community, and in every heart she touched.
She is predeceased by her parents, James E. Sprague and Beatrice (Baker) Sprague; her sisters, Janice Sprague and Beatrice Sprague; and her stepsons, Anthony Dexter and Michael Dexter.
Katherine will be truly missed by her husband, Isaac Walker; her son, Robert D. Dexter; and her daughter, Renee K. (Dexter) Long. Katherine had a great love for her siblings and is survived by six, Margaret McElrath, Richard Sprague, Sharon Jackson, Elliott Sprague, Jacqueline Sprague and Deborah Washington. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.