Dr. Kathleen M. O'Donnell PhD.

Dr. Kathleen Mary O'Donnell, of Altamont, New York, entered into eternal peace on October 5, 2024 surrounded by her family and the love she nurtured in them throughout her life.

Known as Kate, or Katie by her family, and Kathy by her professional family, she was born on September 16, 1941 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Martin and Elsie (Hobsch) O'Donnell.

She was predeceased by her sisters Martha O'Donnell, Patricia Marshman, and Frances Cox whom she loved dearly and spoke of often, and her nephews, Bernard Cox and Charles Marshman.

She is survived by her children Robert Vainosky (Lisa) and Lynne Baldauf (Timm); her grandchildren Jacob Vainosky (Meghan), Joshua Vainosky, Devon Baldauf, Tayla Baldauf; Shaun Baldauf and Justin Baldauf (Ashlie); her great grandchildren Gabriel, Natalie and Katie; her great great grandnephew, Mikey; her only niece Diana Rose (Dave) and her nephews Kevin Cox (Gina), Sean Cox (Pat), Chris Cox (Tina) and Jeff Marshman (Cindy) and a host of great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Katie strongly believed in her family, her faith, her friends and her professional career. Her family was a treasure to her. She took such joy in their accomplishments, and supported them with her quiet strength, tenacious spirit and dignity. She went on countless family adventures and liked nothing better than to describe their escapades. She especially wanted to sit by the ocean with them to witness a sunrise and sunset one more time.

She loved her church and was an active communicant of St. John's Lutheran Church. She served several terms as member and president of the church council, member of the finance committee, and chair of the social ministry committee. She had an unwavering faith in God that was a great comfort to her.

She completed her nursing education at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, then immediately went on to the Dartmouth-Mary Hitchcock Hospital School of Anesthesia to become a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA). She received her undergraduate degree in professional studies from the State University of New York Empire State College, a graduate degree in public service administration from Russell Sage College and a doctor of philosophy degree in educational administration and policies studies from the State University of New York at Albany.

Kathy dedicated her career as an anesthesia provider, and educator of CRNAs, to the Albany Medical Center Hospital and Albany Medical College. She joined the AMCH CRNA staff in the early 1960s, demonstrated early her abilities as an anesthesia provider and was the anesthesia department's chief CRNA for many years. Although her role as anesthesia provider was her love, education was her passion. In 1976 she was appointed director of the AMCH School for Nurse Anesthetists. It is as a result of her foresight and commitment to education that the graduate program for nurse anesthetists, and the Center for Nurse Anesthesiology, were developed under the auspices of the AMC. She served as Professor and Center Director until her retirement in 2007. By her example, and through her mentorship, she instilled in her nurse anesthesia graduate students the belief that excellence in clinical practice must include a commitment to patient advocacy, lifelong learning and discovery of new knowledge to advance the profession.

Dr. O'Donnell was a past president of the New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists, former chair of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs, and former member of the board of directors of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She was chair reviewer for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs, and a Commissioner on the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. She was recognized by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists as the Outstanding Nurse Anesthesia Program Director and the Outstanding Educator Helen Lamb Award. In 2017, she received an honorary Doctorate of Science Degree from the Albany Medical College during Commencement exercises. The honorary degree recognizes individuals who have made profound contributions to patient care, biomedical research and medical education. She was the first nurse, and nurse anesthetist, to be recognized with the honorary degree by the Albany Medical College.

A voracious reader, a tenacious force to be reckoned with, funny, and intelligent. So much more could be said, but in the end, she made our world a little brighter. She wishes to be remembered as a good person.

She will be sorely missed by her family, by her friends, and by her countless colleagues.

A funeral service will be celebrated Tuesday, October 15, at 10 am in St. John's Lutheran Church 140 Maple Avenue. Altamont. Family and friends are invited to visit with Dr. O'Donnell's family on Monday October 14, in Fredendall Funeral Home 199 Main Street, Altamont from 4-7pm. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service in Fairview Cemetery, Altamont.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Kathleen's memory.