Obituary published on Legacy.com by Graves Medley Funeral Services on Nov. 11, 2025.
In Remembrance and Celebration of the Life of
Kathleen "Bootsie" Curry
Kathleen Curry, more commonly known as Bootsie, was born on November 22, 1945, and departed from this life on November 5, 2025 at age 79. She lived in
Stamford, Connecticut throughout her life.
After attending Stamford Public Schools and graduating from Stamford High School in 1963, Bootsie earned a clerical certificate from Merrill Business School. Her first job was as a file clerk at Pitney Bowes, and then she worked as a bank teller. Bootsie then worked as a receptionist at Greenwich Hospital. During that time, she started a second job at Rudy's Limousine as a reservationist and worked there for 30 years until 2019. She was a truly dedicated worker. Even when it became difficult for her to drive herself to and from her job at Rudy's, she hired a driver so that she could continue to work.
Besides working, Bootsie enjoyed trips to New York City, shopping, reading magazines, and watching TV -- especially Family Feud, judge shows, and football. She also developed a love for football in recent years and looked forward to discussing football games with her son-in-law.
For many years, Bootsie was a member of Wilson Memorial Church of God in Christ in
Stamford, Connecticut and sang in the choir. Even when she no longer attended services, she maintained contact with a number of her friends there and loved hosting friends for meals in her home.
After an unfortunate fall in February of 2019, Bootsie was no longer able to remain in her home and began to reside at Civita Care Center. She became fast friends with the certified nursing assistants who cared for her as well as her social worker, nurses, and other residents. She was known as "The Mayor." She especially enjoyed sitting in the lobby, greeting everyone who walked through the door, and socializing with others who were in the lobby, too.
What people will remember most about Bootsie is her generosity, gift of gab, and gorgeous sense of style, especially her manicured nails. (She even sold her nails to Revlon once so that they could "study" them.) Chatting was like a sport for Bootsie. Whether in person or on the phone, she liked sharing the latest information about friends and talking about current events. And she loved giving gifts, taking pleasure and pride in selecting presents for family, friends, and even people she hadn't met. For example, at the end of each school year, she ordered personalized balloons for each of her daughter's elementary school students.
Bootsie lived life on her own terms. If she wanted something, she found a way to get it. If she didn't want to do something, she didn't. Despite her physical limitations, she enjoyed life – visiting with family and friends, riding around the care center in her electric wheelchair, and sitting outside on sunny days. During a visit a couple of years ago with her daughter, she said, "Everybody has a time to die. God sets that time." Bootsie's time has come, but she will rejoice in her reunion with her family members who are already in heaven.
Bootsie was predeceased by her parents, Juanita Ralph Curry and Rickey Curry. She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Bolling, and son-in-law, Sheldon Ayers; sister, Diane Curry and nephews, Raymond and Robert Shuler; godchildren, Randall Ralph, Adrienne Towns, and Deneen Wilkinson Brown; and many family members and friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 10 - 11 a.m. at Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road, in
Stamford, CT. A memorial service will immediately follow at 11 a.m. For memorial gifts, please consider donating to Inspirica, Inc., a local food bank, or
your favorite charity in Kathleen Curry's name. Bootsie's family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Civita Care Center and the Constellation Hospice Team for their professional and compassionate care.
Interment will be private