Kara E. Kelleher

COHOES – Kara Elizabeth Kelleher, 28, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at her home in Cohoes. She was born December 4, 1984 in Lubbock, TX. Kara is survived by her darling children Alan Keefner (son of Robert , known as Doug) and Johanna Kelleher-Stark (daughter of Daniel Stark); father Timothy Kelleher (Eileen), mother Kathlene Thiel (J. Eric King); sister Shelby Kelleher; stepbrothers Griffin King (Dr. Jane Khoury) and Tyler King (Kristin Fiato); aunts Tracy Klein (Peter), Sandy Theodore (Alex), Wanda Amann (Paul); uncles Neil Kelleher (Lisa Massoth), Bob Thiel (Leslie), Dan Thiel (Elizabeth), Kurt Thiel (Sara); special cousins CW Kelleher, Madelyn Klein, Gwen Klein and Griffin Klein; and her close friends Dan Stark, Teilah Morrison and Heather Barley.


The name Kara means beloved, precious, beautiful and cherished. And surely she was and will forever be all of those things. She was a spirited, adventurous, talented young woman. Growing up, one of Kara's favorite hobbies was fishing, which she especially enjoyed doing near her family's homes in Lake Placid, Lake George and on summer vacations in Cape Cod. She particularly enjoyed her years playing softball with the Latham Lassies. Her most endearing characteristic was her beautiful singing voice. From a young age, Kara loved to sing to her family, many times with her dear Poppa Neil Kelleher. As a teenager, one of her first jobs was singing to dinner guests at the Macaroni Grill – an event her family loved to go watch. Her sister Shelby fondly remembers tagging along on Kara's many exciting adventures—spray painting a rock on a golf course, sneaking out at night to explore Sagamore Island, and many more. Her fearlessness and desire to explore and challenge the world is an inspiration to all of us who had the pleasure to be along for the ride.
Kara will forever be remembered for her warmth and compassion toward those less fortunate. Her parents remember her once asking for her allowance early to donate to the Salvation Army at Christmas time. Kara was incredibly outgoing and made new friends where ever she went – whether on a cruise through the Caribbean, a vacation on Marco Island, a lunch trip to Bolton Landing or running down the beaches in Wells, Maine and Cape Cod. While her family knows there will be an empty place where Kara should be, they are comforted by the fact that her memory will be honored through the love and joy of her two beautiful children, Alan and Johanna, who were her life's greatest happiness. "A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart." – Author Unknown


Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). Calling hours will be Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center, 1724 Fifth Ave., Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Kara E. Kelleher.