Kathleen A. Jackson

Kathleen Abbott Jackson (March 24, 1956 – July 5, 2024)

 Kathleen (Kathy) A. Jackson of Altamont passed away peacefully on Friday, July 5, 2024, at age 68. She leaves behind multiple unopened boxes of pudding, blank sheets of Sudoku puzzles, and many loving friends and family. She passed at Albany Medical Center after struggling in her fight against cancer for months following a remission of 12 years. 

 She was born in Albany in 1956 to Joseph and Margaret Abbott, who were ecstatic to welcome their first baby girl into the world. Kathy attended Menands Elementary School until 8th grade and completed high school at the Vincentian Institute in Albany. She went on to attend SUNY Plattsburgh studying Dietetics, and immediately following graduation was accepted into Harvard University’s post-graduate internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She went on to pass her certification and became a Registered Dietician. She would go on to work at St. Peter’s and Child’s Hospitals, several area nursing homes, and eventually the State of New York in compliance enforcement. 

 Kathy is survived by her adoring husband Howard (Jack), with their 39th wedding anniversary just around the corner (though they both had misremembered the year and thought it was their 40th). She is also survived by her daughter Tara Jackson; sister, Susan (Joseph) Viscuso; brothers Gerard (Kathryn) Abbott and David (Kimberly) Abbott; and many loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws. She is also survived by her loving dog Muno, who already misses the opportunity to steal a lick of her wonton soup. She is preceded in death by her parents and her other fur children, Ziggy and Kirby. 

 Kathy enjoyed many things in this life. She was an avid supporter of the New York Giants as well as the Boston Red Sox, a trait inspired by her father and her time in Boston, much to the chagrin of her Yankee-loving husband. They built a house together on the Helderberg Escarpment in 1990, with the help of many friends and family. She loved to watch the wildlife there and especially the birds, which was a blessing considering Jack maintains seven bird feeders on the porch alone. Kathy loved spending time at the racetrack in Saratoga with friends and family (while losing a few bets in the process). She also loved listening to all types of music. She might not have been able to carry a tune, but none of us can hit that high note in “My Maria.” This never stopped her from singing and dancing along and it did make her appreciate her daughter’s guitar playing even more. Kathy was known for her sense of humor and quick intellect as well as her ability to light up a room with her smile and laughter. She was kind. She was courageous. She was caring. In school she was the captain of her basketball team (at 5’2”), a cheerleader, in the honors society, and Vice President of her class. In summary, she was the best of all worlds.

Family and friends are invited to and may visit with Kathy's family at the Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, Altamont on Monday, July 22, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. A prayer service will immediately follow the visitation in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Jackson family plot at Fairview Cemetery immediately following the prayer service.

Memorial donations in Kathy’s name can be made to the Albany Regional Food Bank or Free Food Fridge Albany. These causes were close to her heart as a dietician who believed everyone deserves access to healthy food. 

Free Food Fridge Albany 

Albany Regional Food Bank