Kathryn Grace Reise

Kathryn Grace (Kunzler) Reise, 87, a longtime resident of Essex, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Maple Ridge Memory Care in Essex. She was born on August 15, 1938, in Dunkirk, New York, to the late Felix Philip and Margaret Mary (Kunzler) Pencek and raised by Margaret and John Kunzler.

A 1956 graduate of Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk, Kathy earned a degree in Home Economics from Buffalo State College. Early in her career she worked at Stouffer's Restaurant in Chicago and later held many roles in multiple Girl Scout councils before ending her career as the Director of Adult Development for the Vermont Girl Scout Council, where she led camp programs and cookie trainings with boundless energy. After retiring, she continued sharing her love for education at the at ECHO Leahy Center and then the Shelburne Museum.

Kathy's life was defined by joyful service. She was a devoted Girl Scout leader for decades, a lifetime member of the organization, and proudly organized several Girl Scout Round-Up reunions. Her creative spirit shone in the camping adventures she taught-building igloos for winter camping at Twin Hills, as well as baking cakes in cardboard boxes, and roasting turkeys in garbage cans over open campfires. At St. Pius X Catholic Church she served as lector, knitted prayer shawls, hosted coffee hours, and helped with funeral receptions. She taught the Four Winds nature program in her grandkids' classroom, helped organize Essex's Memorial Day parades, and visited residents at St. Joseph's Home in Burlington.

Kathy's hands were never still: she gardened (first vegetables for canning before discovering a love for tending her multiple flower gardens), knitted, quilted, and reupholstered furniture. Nothing made Kathy happier than feeding anyone who crossed her door-some family favorites included her apple pies, peanut brittle, cinnamon candy, Christmas cookies, and 7-layer Jell-O. In later years she became the proudest fan at her grandchildren's ice hockey, baseball, football, and lacrosse games. She cherished serving as Hailey's Confirmation sponsor. Her warmth and generosity touched countless lives. She is survived by her son Craig Reise (Patty); three daughters, Lynn Crochetiere (Terry), Michele Brewster (Jim), and Jennifer Gaudreau (Leo); six grandchildren, Zachary and Hailey Savage, Christopher and Matthew Brewster, and Thomas and Jacob Crochetiere; and one great-grandchild, Palmer Savage. Her large and enduring circle of friends included her cousin, Judy Bradley.

Kathy was predeceased by her husband Thomas Reise and grandson Brian Crochetiere.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at A W Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Reverend Charles Ranges, S.S.E. officiating. Reception will follow in the church basement. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in the family plot in Mountain View Cemetery.

To honor her love of feeding everyone, memorial contributions in Kathy's memory may be made to the Vermont Foodbank. Please visit http://www.awrfh.com to share memories and condolences.