Kathy Graff

Katherine (Kathy) Graff, age 91, passed away on May 9, 2022, at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck. Born on September 21, 1930, in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of Wesley and Ethel Graff. Kathy is survived by her sister, Marjorie Cox of Lincolnton, NC, four nieces, two nephews, and many kind friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth VanMierop.
Kathy graduated from Rhinebeck High School in 1948 and Albany Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. After working there as an RN for five years, she attended Syracuse University and received a BS in Nursing. After working for four years as a public health nurse, she obtained a MS in Public Health Nursing from the University of Minnesota. From 1966 to 1993, she held various positions with the Dutchess County Department of Health in Poughkeepsie. During Kathy's retirement years, she served as a Red Cross nurse on disaster relief missions.
Kathy was most grateful for her caring family and friends and her active participation as a member of St. James' Episcopal Church in Hyde Park. She was an avid traveler with visits to Canada, Europe and several areas of the United States. Kathy particularly enjoyed solitary woodland walks in all seasons, folk and classical music, visits with family and friends and plant nurturing in and outdoors. She was especially thankful for the 35 years she was able to live in her home on Larch Drive in Hyde Park.
In her final act of charity, Kathy donated her body to the Albany College of Medicine.
There will be a memorial service at St. James' Episcopal Church in Hyde Park, NY on June 11 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James' Episcopal Church, 4526 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538 (www.stjameshydepark.org) or the American Red Cross (Hudson Valley Chapter), 4 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 302, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (www.redcross.org)
To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit Kathy's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.