Katherine "Kay" (Nolan) Gilchrist

Pittstown-Katherine “Kay” Nolan Gilchrist of Pittstown, died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 29, 2022 surrounded by her family after a long and loving life. She was born in Cambridge, New York the daughter of John Nolan and Bridie Dailey Nolan.  She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls in 1944.  Kay received her nursing degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Amsterdam, New York in 1948 and began a life of caring for others, a profession and a passion at which she excelled. She married John Gilchrist at St. Patrick’s Church in 1955.

After graduating from nursing school Kay worked at Mary McClellan Hospital and as a school nurse for the Cambridge School system as well as a public health nurse.  After raising her children, she returned to nursing and worked in Samaritan Hospital in Troy and then St. Mary’s in Troy where she enjoyed a long career and was featured in newspaper ads recruiting nurses returning to the workforce.

Kay and John moved to Pittstown in 1958 where she remained the rest of her life.  In addition to raising four children, she enjoyed her garden, her horses, dogs, cats and the occasional sheep.  She loved the property bordering on the Sunkaussia Creek and taught her children, nieces and nephews the joy of skipping stones, catching pollywogs, minnows and the occasional trout.  When she became a grandmother, she passed that love down to the next generation.

Kay is survived by her children, Brian (Janine) of Pittstown, Tim (Kathy) of Eagle Mills, Matthew of Richmond, Virginia and Brigid (James Carey) of Hubbardston, Massachusetts.  She is also survived by five grandchildren, Liam Gilchrist of Seattle, Washington, Graeme Gilchrist of Beverly, Massachusetts, Seamus Carey of Chicago, Illinois, Mollie Gilchrist of Troy, New York and Bridie Carey of Portland, Maine.  In addition, she is survived by sisters-in-law Ann Nolan, Sister Francis Anne Gilchrist and Rosemary Gilchrist.  She is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews whom she loved and kept track of all of their activities.  She was predeceased by her husband John, siblings Mary Austin, John Nolan, James Nolan, Ann Connor, Elizabeth Luke, Rita McCart and William Nolan.  She was a communicant of St. George’s Roman Catholic Church in Pittstown until its closure.

The family would like to thank Dr. Charles Sulzman for his years of friendship and care.  They would also like to thank Linda, Mary Ellen, Lynn, Jessica, Lorraine and Bonnie who provided such loving care over the last years and allowed Mom to stay at home as she wished.

Services will be private.  In lieu of flowers contributions in Kay’s memory may be made to Heifer International www.heifer.org. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katherine "Kay" (Nolan) Gilchrist, please visit our floral store.