Katherine A. Robillard

Katherine "Kay" (Gorgen) Robillard, 83, of Guilderland, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family Sunday June 27, 2021. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Mary Gorgen and was predeceased by her sisters June and Marcia, and by her husband of over 60 years, Donald Robillard. Her surviving sister, Marie Evans of Albany, was an important part of Kay's life and the families often celebrated holidays and picnics together.

Katherine and Donald raised four accomplished children; David (Carol) Robillard, Kristen (James Sacco) Robillard, Michelle, and Jennifer. She loved her children and expressed that love early on through nicknames she gave them which continued through their adult life; "Son-shine", "Princess", "Pot-of-Gold", and "Joy from Heaven". She found great happiness in sharing her love with her 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; Mary Ann (Matthew) Lanoue, Sarah Robillard, Daniel Robillard, Kelly Robillard, John Paul Sacco, John David Robillard, Peter Sacco, Michael Sacco, Patrick Robillard, Jake Armiger and Chloe Armiger, and great grandchildren; Gracie and Theo (Lanoue).

Kay kept in touch with many of her friends from grade school and high school. She always enjoyed and cherished the times they got together to reminisce and laugh about the good old days. The bicycle her grandmother bought her for her 8th grade graduation which she rode around the neighborhood with friends was the same bicycle she rode with her kids in Guilderland and still hangs in the garage for generations to come!

Kay worked at the NY Telephone Company and later at KeyBank. She would often brag about the number of words she could type per minute and how she got straight A's in shorthand class. The calendar holds scribbles of that language to this day. When the children were school aged Kay worked at the Guilderland Central High School in the Career Development office and later at SUNY Albany in the Student Life department.

A resident of Guilderland for over 50 years she was a friendly fixture in the community. The Suburban she drove for many years was a regular sight on the roads and would inspire waves as she drove by. She was a talented woman who gave her time over the years as a kindergarten aid, religious education instructor, and local 4-H sewing class teacher. Kay enjoyed ceramics, knitting, chair caning, sewing, baking, and crafts. She spent many late nights finishing up homemade favors for the children's birthday parties. She was also an artist whose artwork hangs on the walls of the home where she and Donald raised their family – a beautiful reminder of her talents.

One of her favorite subjects to paint and places to be was in York, Maine. She found such happiness watching the waves hit against the rocks, the salt air, and the sun rising and setting along the ocean. The family visited each summer there and created lifelong memories of time spent together on the beach and climbing the rocks.

Kay and Don enjoyed travelling the US and to different countries. As their children grew up and created families of their own, they found joy in travelling to visit them and spending time with the grandkids. She enjoyed summers with the family together at their vacation house on Lake George.
A devout parishioner of St. Madeleine Sophie parish, Kay cared for the family, friends and neighbors brought into her life. She was a caregiver to aging relatives and showed great compassion for her husband when he needed her most.

A visitation will be held Thursday July 1 at New Comer'Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Rd, Watervliet, from 5pm-7pm. Friends and family are welcome to visit and share with the family their memories of Kay's full and blessed life. She will be missed.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday July 2 at 10am at St Madeleine Sophie Church, Guilderland followed by a Catholic burial at St Jean's Cemetery, Troy, NY.