Kathleen Ellen McArdle

Albany, NY-Kathleen Ellen McArdle died on Nov. 11, 2022 after a long and valiant fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Kathy was born in Albany, daughter of the late Richard J. Farley Sr and Julia Molnar Farley, and grew up in Rensselaer. From the time of her youth she dedicated herself to helping others. While still an undergraduate at Russell Sage she volunteered at St. John's in the South End of Albany where she got to work with 2 of her life long heroes, Fr. Peter Young and Fr. Howard Hubbard. She also volunteered at Veterans' Hospital where she took wheel chair bound patients to Mass on Sundays. She also became a “Big Sister” and received the Albany County Big Brother/Big Sister Volunteer of the Year Award in 1969. In 1970 she joined Vista and spent 2 years offering help to the people of Caguas, Puerto Rico. Upon returning home she became a foster parent to a 2 year old boy, Michael, whom she later adopted as a single parent in 1977. During this period she was the Director of a NY State Division For Youth funded multi-service youth/family center and served as an advocate in Albany Police Court for persons 16-21 years of age. In 1978 she worked at Catholic Charities helping develop a program intended to train Social Services System consumers to become paid “family advocates” at not for profit agencies. In the fall of 1978 she married Vincent McArdle. In 1980 Kathy became a board member of Camary Inc., an organization serving the needs of developmentally disabled individuals and their families. It eventually became Living Resources. During her time on the Board she chaired a major fund raiser in the City Hall Rotunda with William Kennedy as guest of honor doing a reading from Ironweed. The event was a huge success. In 1981 she and Vin adopted a new born son, Brian who early on was diagnosed with ADHD and several other disorders and learning disabilities. After dealing with professionals in the various fields associated with Brian's disabilities, Kathy and another mom founded a support group that became Capital District Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Kathy held monthly information meetings for families with guest speakers with expertise in all aspects learning disabilities. She organized a conference with workshops which was attended by more than 700 people. The group continued to meet regularly and at its peak had over 200 member families and a lending library of over 300 volumes. She was the dear wife of Vincent J McArdle Jr; beloved mother of Michael and Brian (Nicole); sister-in-law of Anne DeSormeau (Gary) and Terrence McArdle; sister of the late Richard "Rick" J. Farley Jr; several nieces and nephews survive. Kathy's care and concern for others continued to manifest itself in her advocacy for her family and others as long as she was able. We want to thank Eddy Visiting Nurses and Community Hospice for their aid to Kathy and most especially to voice our love and gratitude to a real angel of mercy, Kara Kozakiewicz whose gentle care and fierce advocacy have sustained us through this most difficult time. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Funeral Mass Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 11:30 am at St. Vincent De Paul Church, Albany, NY. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com. Those wishing to remember Kathy in a special way may send a contribution to St. Vincent De Paul Church, 900 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12208.

Tributes

Kathleen Ellen McArdle

May 7, 1941 - November 11, 2022