Kathleen Donegan

ALBANY – Kathleen (Coyne) Donegan, 87, passed away on January 22, 2021 in St. Peters Hospital in Albany, NY.  Born in Co. Galway, Ireland, she was the daughter of the late John Coyne and Mary Joyce of Maam Valley. She was predeceased by six siblings; Michael, Anthony, Joseph and Owen Coyne of London, England; her treasured sister Mary Grealy of Brisbane, Australia and brother Liam Coyne of Sydney, Australia.  She remained a loyal sister and aunt to Martin Coyne and his family of her birthplace in Ireland. Kate was predeceased in 2019 by her beloved husband of 61 years, the late Patrick Donegan.  Kate was the cherished mother of Mary Donegan-Ritter (Curt), Eugene Donegan (Ann), Gerri Donegan, and Jackie Treanor (Chris). She was the loving nana of Katie Rose, Patrick, James, Alayna, Owen and Aidan.

Kate finished school at age 15 and worked on the family farm in the Maamturk mountains. On weekends she visited her cousins and attended dances in Westport, Co. Mayo.  The American film crews came to Connemara at this time to film “The Quiet Man”movie.  Kate was enamored by The process and determined to move to America. Kate joined her older brothers and sister in London at age 18, working as a nursemaid. She met Patrick Donegan at a dance three years later, the first of many dances they would share together. They emigrated to NYC, married in 1958, and settled in Elmhurst, Queens. The family moved to Bayside in 1963 where they flourished for 56 years. Kate and Pat were active members of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish and fundraisers for the Columban Missionaries. Kate enjoyed church volunteer activities, dances at the Irish Center in Mineola, baking soda breads and scones, writing overseas letters, hosting cards parties, crocheting blankets, and traveling. Kate enjoyed many family reunions vacationing at Gavins in East Durham, NY. In 1975 Kate began a twenty year career as a nurse’s aide at Ozanam Hall Nursing Home, sharing her gift of caring for the frail elderly. In retirement, Pat and Kate made an annual trip to Ireland each March. In fall 2019, Pat and Kate moved to the Albany area. Kate became a proud resident ambassador at Atria Guilderland and was “Nana” to staff and residents alike. Kate was a native Gaelic speaker from the cradle, and shook her head at the textbook Irish younger generations spoke. Many friends commented she had the thickest Irish brogue ever heard.  Ar dheis De go Raibh a h’anam dilis- May her joyful soul be on the right side of God.

Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral will be limited to family at St. Vincents Chuch. Burial will be at Mt. St. Marys Cemetery in Flushing, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Kates memory be honored by donations to St. Vincents Food Pantry, 900 Madison Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit  www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Kate’s funeral service at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Albany, NY.

Click here to view Kate’s resting place in Mount Saint Mary Cemetery, Flushing, NY.