Kathleen Bailey

Kathleen Bristol Bailey passed away peacefully on May 18, 2019 at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, NY.

Born in Saranac Lake on April 12, 1950, Kathleen was the daughter of Leonard J. and Virginia G. Bristol.

She was a lifelong resident of the village in which she was born and graduated in 1968 from the Saranac Lake High School. On graduation day she received her diploma from her father who was then the President of the Saranac Lake Schools Board of Education.

Growing up, Kathy, as she was known by all, attended St. Bernard’s Elementary School and was a member of the Girl Scouts. She was an active participant in many school clubs and activities during her school years. Kathy was known for her friendly and outgoing personality and her mega-watt smile. In 1968 she was selected by her classmates to be the Attendant to the Queen of the Winter Carnival. Subsequently she was an active member of the Winter Carnival Committee and worked with the High School Carnival Court preparing the students for their roles in the annual Rotary Show and other Carnival events. Kathy graduated from the Malone School of Nursing and served in her profession as a nurse for many years at the Adirondack Medical Center and at Adirondack Surgical Group, as well as with North Country Home Services. Before her retirement Kathy’s nursing background led her to become an EMT with the Saranac Lake Rescue Squad. Kathy also served her community as a member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department. She had been a member of the Women of the Moose and Elks Lodge #1508. Her effervescent personality led Kathy to have legions of friends, both young and old, throughout all of Saranac Lake and beyond. Kathy was always there for others in their time of need. She will be long remembered and loved for her strength in times of adversity.

In addition to her mother, Kathy is lovingly remembered and survived by her daughter, Kathleen Ann Bailey and her granddaughter, Alexis Smith of Saranac Lake, as well as by her brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Pamela of Durham, CT, her brothers, Michael of Middletown, NY, and James of Bartlett, IL, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Noreen and Donald Oslander of Madison, CT and Eileen and Paul Leahy of Saranac Lake. Kathy also leaves 28 first cousins and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carrie Leigh Bailey, her father, Leonard J. Bristol and her brother, Kevin M. Bristol.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake, NY. Calling hours will take place at the funeral home from 10:00 AM- 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 24, 2019.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Kathleen’s life will be held at St. Bernard’s Church at 12:30 PM on May 24, 2019 with Fr. Patrick Ratigan officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery on Ampersand Ave. in Saranac Lake, NY

Friends wishing to remember Kathleen may make memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, or to the youth camp named in honor of her brother, Kevin, the New York Elks Camp Bristol, Inc. in West Monroe, NY (nyelkscampbristol.org). Family and friends may share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.