Kathleen M. Hobbs

Albany- Kathleen M. Hobbs, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 1, 2023. Kathy was born and raised in Schenectady and was the oldest of six children born to Catherine (Van Buren) and Edward Oleschak. In 1955, she married Cortis Hobbs and they lovingly raised their three children, Patti, Bonnie and Gary. Kathy was an active member of the Methodist church and focused her energy on raising her children. She then went on to pursue a business degree and forged an amazing career.

Kathy became a Certified Property Manager and managed apartment complexes, office buildings, shopping malls, and HUD subsidized properties. She was well respected by her peers and was a Past President of the Certified Property Managers' Association. She received multiple awards and recognition for her contributions to the field of property management. She was the owner of Hobbs Management, Inc. in Latham, during a time when few women were Presidents and CEOs of companies. She sold her business and retired in 1997.

Kathy married Ellis Sheber in 1981. They enjoyed spending time boating on Lake George each summer with Ellis' sister and brother-in-law, Fern and Bob Slutsky, and their close friends. She would often speak of her fond memories of the time spent on their boats, "Just Us" and "Just Us II". Ellis passed away in 1994, but Kathy continued to be an integral part of his family and was devoted to his mother, Emma, until she passed at 100 years of age.

In 1995, Kathy met Joe Esposito. He became her life companion and they spent several years traveling. Every trip had to include their stuffed travel companion, Bugs Bunny. Kathy particularly enjoyed the time she and Joe spent together each year in Puerto Rico. For the last 28 years, she loved spending time with the entire Esposito family and considered them to be her family.

She touched the lives of so many. She was a true friend with a listening ear and supportive nature. Many of her friends considered her to be part of their family.

Kathy's greatest treasure was her family. She embraced the spouses of her children as her own. She always recognized their accomplishments with a gift or a special outing. The pride that she had for each of her children was no secret to anyone. Special time spent with each of her children was so important, whether it was a lunch date, shopping, or a trip to the casino. When Kathy learned that she would become a grandmother, she thought hard about what her title would be. Her role as "Nana" was very special. She had a genuine interest in the lives of each of her grandchildren and was so very proud of them. She beamed with pride when she became a great grandmother, showing pictures and telling anyone who would listen about them.

Kathleen is survived by her children, Patricia D. (Jim) Apa, Bonnie L. (Joe Jensen) Hobbs, Gary C. (Carol) Hobbs, and; her grandchildren, Jared Michael Apa, Kaitlyn Grace (David) Demers, Danica Nanci (Cody) Murray, Laurie Kathleen (Gerald) Griffin, Alexander Cortis Ellis Hobbs, and Benjamin Addington Hobbs; her beloved grand dog, Haley ("Hug a Bug"); and several great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Kathy adored her sisters, Joyce Overstreet, Gloria (Bob) Bianchi, and Chris (Robert) Muscanell, and her two sisters, Linda Ritchie and Valerie Santo, who passed far too soon. She was predeceased by her husbands, Cortis Hobbs and Ellis Sheber, and her life companion, Joseph Espostio.

Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, New York 12205 on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 10am to 12pm with a funeral service to begin at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kathy's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 30105.

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