Kathleen Murphy Corneliess

Kathleen Murphy Corneliess - Kathy - of Rockville Centre passed away on May 19 in her home surrounded by her family. The beloved mother and esteemed Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who dedicated her life to serving children with cancer, is survived by her three children, Caitlin Corneliess, Brian Corneliess, and Patrick Corneliess. She is also survived by her sister Maureen Murphy, her brother John Murphy and his husband Hal Moskowitz, as well as by her mother-in-law Gloria Corneliess, her sister-in-law Dale Corneliess Marcino and her husband Charles Marcino and their children Adrienne Marcino, Allison Marcino, Amanda Marcino and Evan Marcino in addition to the children of her late brother-in-law Kevin Corneliess: Heather (Corneliess) Haczyk and Kristen (Corneliess) Carlsen. The lifelong Long Islander was married to the late Glenn Corneliess of Clifton, New Jersey.
Kathy graduated with honors from the BS Nursing program at Niagara University and went on to further studies, achieving an MA in Nursing at New York University, followed by a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner license. She most recently worked in Pediatric Cancer Clinical Trials at NYU/Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola. Prior to that Kathy worked at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Often described as a lioness protecting her cubs when it came to the care of her patients, Kathy's dedication to her patients was second only to her devotion to her family. Widowed at a young age with three little children, she rose to the occasion with the dignity and strength that only a person of deep faith and drive could. Her family not only overcame these obstacles but thrived, and her children grew up to be successful adults who are now a boundless tribute to her memory.
A few years after the sudden death of her husband twenty-six years ago, Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She lived with the disease, a difficult and tumultuous journey, until this spring a sudden turn for the worse rendered her home-bound. With all of her children, close family and friends gathered around her, Kathy succumbed to the disease and joined her husband. She was surrounded by the people she loved and nurtured, and went peacefully. She will be sorely missed.
Visitation will take place Monday, May 23rd from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. (open casket) and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (closed casket) at Macken Mortuary, 52 Clinton Avenue in Rockville Centre. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 24th at 9:45 a.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral at 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre. Interment will follow at The Cemetery of the Holy Rood, 111 Old Country Road, Westbury.
In honor of Kathy's many years of living with breast cancer, we ask that in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (https://www.bcrf.org/) or the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program (https://breast-cancer.adelphi.edu/). Thank you.