KATHLEEN (MULVEY) REILLEY

BRISTOL — Kathleen “Katie,” “Cathy” (Mulvey) Reilley, 74, passed away at her home in Bristol Aug. 10, 2024, after a heroic fight with melanoma that had moved to her brain.

Born in Jamaica, Long Island, N.Y., Kate and her family moved to upstate Taghkanic, N.Y., in the early 1950s with her parents, Agnes and Jack, and older sister Marian. She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, where each row was a different grade. From there, she transitioned to St. Mary’s Catholic School in Hudson. Kate continued into higher education, first at SUNY Oneonta, then Dutchess County Community College, then earning her degree at Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz., while living in a trailer in Chino Valley. Ultimately, Kate received a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

Kate had a great summer with her sister visiting relatives in Ireland, having traveled across “the pond” on the Mauretania II when she was 10. She lived for a while in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., with a unique cast of characters — you know who you are.

Kate held many positions throughout her career, starting as a draftsman/designer at Rusack Engineering in New York. From there, she worked as a site developer for PRC in Cape Canaveral, Fla. After moving back to the northeast, Kate was a developer for Greiner Engineering in Connecticut and then became a permit specialist for the state of Connecticut. Eventually she opened her own consulting firm, KMR Environmental Planners, after which she worked as the open space manager for the town of Fairfield Conn., prior to moving to Vermont. Kate’s last position was as assistant to the Town Clerk in New Haven, Vt., processing grants.

While working at Greiner Engineering, Kate met her future husband Gerard (Jerry). They married in 1985 and their daughter Shannon was born in 1987. They lived in Connecticut for many years and moved to Bristol, Vt., in 2001.

Kate was passionate about many things. She had two horses — first Snowed Under and then Neptuno, who is now 30. She performed with Neptuno in a demonstration of human dancing and equestrian performance known as Dancing with Horses. Another love was cooking — she rarely repeated a meal with the same recipe and always created fresh, wholesome food. Gardening was a great love, particularly beans and lots of garlic. Travel was also high on her list of enjoyments. Kate was passionate about the preservation of land for future generations and was an active member of land trusts in both Connecticut and Vermont while living in each state.

Kate has been known during various times in her life as Legs Mulvey; and Katie, Katie the Hors D’oeuvre lady.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughter, Shannon, sister Marian with husband John Godfrey of Oxford, N.Y.; and niece Christine of Binghamton, N.Y.: as well as a great nephew Matthew, and various cousins.

Kate was buried at the Vermont Forest Cemetery on Tuesday, Aug. 13, in a very private and beautiful ceremony where she will become part of the earth she loved so much.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m., we will gather at St. Ambrose Church in Bristol, Vt., for a funeral Mass celebrating her life. The church’s address is 11 School St., Bristol, Vt. After the mass, please join us for a luncheon at Rosie’s Restaurant, 886 Route 7 South, Middlebury, Vt.

We will also be streaming the service on Zoom. RSVP link is for everyone, but please make sure to send it in if you want the zoom link to join the memorial livestream. https://forms.gle/PhXSMWmH5eVsGGUHA

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Addison County Home, Health & Hospice or the Vermont Land Trust. The Day Funeral Home in Randolph is assisting the family with arrangements. ◊