Katharine Dean Cordts

Katharine Dean Cordts, 109, a lifelong resident of Kingston, New York, died peacefully at her Maiden Lane residence on March 29th, 2014. She was born on January 9, 1905, in Kingston, New York, to the late Archibald Winter Dean and Katherine Scott Dean. She married the late John Nicholas Cordts at St. Joseph's Church in Kingston, N.Y. on October 20th, 1926.




Katharine was a graduate of St. Joseph's School in 1918. When she entered first grade, the school, under the direction of the Sisters of Charity, was located at 1 Pearl Street, but later relocated to a new building on Wall Street. She graduated from Kingston High School, class of 1922, and attended the College of Mount St. Vincent in Riverdale, N.Y. She was a faculty member at the Academy of St. Ursula, formerly on Grove Street in Kingston, and at St. Joseph's School.




A parishioner at St. Joseph's Church, Katharine was also an honorary member of the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Ladies of Charity of New York, Ulster County YWCA Women's Club, and the Junior League of Kingston where she served on its Board of Directors. She was an active member of the St. Ursula Academy Mother's Association and organized fund raising activities to help support Jesuit Missions.




Katharine was the recipient of many honors in recognition of her community service and long life. In 1998 she received the St. Joseph's School Distinguished Senior Alumna Award. On May 18, 2010 she received a Pride of Ulster County Award presented by the Ulster County Legislature to local centenarians. In honor of her 107th birthday, Kingston Mayor Shayne R. Gallo, a former student, issued a proclamation naming January 9, 2012, as Katharine D. Cordts Day. At age 108, the Junior League of Kingston named her Junior League of Kingston Sustainer Emeritus.




She attended the St. Joseph's School 100th Anniversary dinner on June 16th, 2012 as one of four selected honorees. During her later years, Katharine derived great joy from St. Joseph's School students who visited her on her birthday and presented handmade cards and musical selections. She enjoyed reading, traveling, entertaining and visiting family members, former West Chestnut Street neighbors, and friends. She took particular pleasure in following the careers of former students, enjoying their correspondence and occasional visits.




She is survived by a son, John N. Cordts and his wife Vanvimol Cordts of Colorado Springs, CO, son-in-law, Harold Acker and his wife Margo Acker of Woodstock, N.Y., two daughters, Carol Heine of Kingston, N.Y. and Matilda C. "Tildy" Davenport and her husband William W. Davenport of Stone Ridge, N.Y., five grandsons: Joseph Cordts, Kenneth Acker, Kenneth Davenport, Andrew Davenport and Jonathan Davenport. Also surviving are twelve great-grandchildren: Taylor Cordts, Charlee Cordts, Natalie Acker Raymond, Beau Acker, Morgan Louise Acker, Aubrie Davenport, Jenna Davenport, William J. Davenport, Aidan Davenport, Jackson Davenport, Sean Davenport, Shamus Davenport, as well as three great-great grandchildren.




In addition to her husband John Nicholas Cordts, who died March 18, 1962, she was predeceased by a daughter Katherine Louise Acker and two grandchildren Carol Louise Acker and Harold John Acker.




Entrusted to the care of Luke Keyser of A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Avenue, Kingston, N.Y., where friends will be received on Thursday April 3, 2014 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The procession will form at 9 a.m. on Friday April 4, 2014 and proceed to St. Joseph's Church, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Frank Damis, officiating. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Kingston, N.Y.




In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's School, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, N.Y. 12401; Sisters of St. Ursula, 50 Linwood Road, Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572; Hospice-Ulster Division, 32 Broadway, Kingston, N.Y. 12401, or Benedictine Health Foundation, 105 Mary's Avenue, Kingston, N.Y. 12401.