In Memory of Kathleen M. Stimpson

Obituary

Kathleen Mary Stimpson (Hernon) passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of February 21, 2026 at the age of 79.

Kathy was the first of ten children born to Margaret Hernon (O’Malley) and R. Paul Hernon on April 8, 1946 in Queens, NY. The large family started off slowly, with Kathy and her sister Eileen a close twosome until the rest of the kids came along. As the family grew they moved to Corning, then Oneonta and eventually settled in New Hartford in 1958. Kathy excelled in school until she graduated from St Francis de Sales High School in 1963. She then entered the order of the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, where she received her habit as a novice in 1964 and took her temporary vows in 1966. She graduated from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY in 1968 with a degree in French. In 1969 she left the convent and, as she always said, finally found out about The Beatles. Early that summer she met and fell in love with Jon Stimpson and on December 27th of that year they were married in Abington, MA in the midst of a record breaking nor’easter. Throughout the 70s Kathy and Jon remained in the Scituate, MA area, where they raised their first two children. During these years Kathy worked as a substitute teacher before discovering her talent as an editor at Little Brown Publishing in Boston. In the early 80s, now with three children, they relocated to Central NY and lived for many years in Chadwicks. As she settled back in to Upstate, Kathy worked as a type setter at Hamilton College, briefly owned and operated Kathy’s Country Store in Paris, and eventually embarked on her career as a technical editor at PAR Technology – a job she would have until her retirement in 2015.

Kathy was a brilliant and vibrant woman with a keen intelligence, a strong sense of justice, and a flare for storytelling. She was a consistent advocate for the rights and equity of women and minorities and was frequently involved in organizations and gatherings that sought meaningful social change. She was also a spiritual person who found great inspiration in the pondering and discussing of religious and spiritual texts. In commitment to her beliefs she attended St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford NY for most of her life, she taught religious education there and out of her home in Scituate, and she was a part of LIMEX (a graduate level extension program in Catholic ministries) for decades. Kathy also walked over 300 miles of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain at 71 years old - an adventure she had always dreamed of and that she got to share with her daughter Katie. 

Kathy was also a lover of the arts – an avid and passionate reader, movie watcher, and art gallery visitor. Throughout her life she herself dabbled in acting, writing, and photography. She was a talented seamstress who designed and constructed costumes for several theatrical productions at the Players of Utica and Sauquoit Valley High School.

Kathy was an excellent friend, a caring older sister, a fiercely loving mother and grandmother, and a committed correspondent. She could be relied on to send the pictures she took that she promised she’d send or to mail you a carefully selected card on your birthday.

Her family and friends will miss her sardonic sense of humor and her easy, boisterous laughter.

Kathy is survived by her three children; David Stimpson (Amber Turpin), Becky Diodati (Rich Diodati), Katie Stimpson. Five grandchildren; Tessa Canales, Teala Diodati, Noah Diodati, Vincenzo Diodati, Hazel Stimpson. One great grandchild; Amari. Eight siblings; Eileen Donovan (Jim), Mary Hernon, Paul Hernon (Bridget), Tom Hernon (Sue), Marty Hernon (Mary), Patti Hernon, Andrew Hernon, Robbie Hernon, and brother in law; Harvey Kallus. And many, many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Jon Stimpson; mother Margaret Hernon; father R. Paul Hernon; sister Jean Kallus; and her dearest friend and mentor Mary Ellen Molinaro.

Lastly, Kathy’s family would like to thank nurse Joseph Servatius at Cedarbrook, for his attentive care over the last four years.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 27, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, February 28, at 10:00am at St. John the Evangelist Church on 66 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Whitesboro. 

For online expressions of sympathy go to Fwefh.com