Kathleen Marsala

1933 - 2019

COOPERSTOWN – Kathleen Marsala, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully early Tuesday evening, November 19, 2019, at her home in Cooperstown surrounded by her family. She was 86.

Born September 1, 1933, in Manhattan, Kathleen was one of 10 children of Richard and Ann (Sheridan) Grey. 

On October 21, 1950, Kathleen married the love of her life, Joseph J. Marsala, in a ceremony at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Manhattan.

Kathleen dedicated her life to raising her five children. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was kind and caring and was deeply loved by her family and many friends. 

Kathleen is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Joe Marsala of Cooperstown; their five children, John Marsala and wife, Kathy of Central Islip, Kathleen Marsala Siracusa and husband, Joe Siracusa of Cooperstown, Joseph “Joey” Marsala and wife, Ann of Cooperstown, Laura Marsala Ginley and husband, Tom Ginley of Bay Shore, and Maryann Dathe of Rockville Center; 11 grandchildren, Kristy Cifelli and husband Mike Cifelli, John Marsala and wife, Dawn, Andrew Marsala, Michele Siracusa Morrison and husband, Glenn Morrison, Alexandra Siracusa Headley and husband Gawayne Headley, Gianna Marsala McHenry and husband, Derrick McHenry, Erin Marsala, Tim Ginley, Erica Ginley Donahue and husband, Kenny Donahue, Derek Dathe and fiancé Christine, and Taylor Dathe; eight great grandchildren, Cameron Jones, Max Headley, Charlotte Cifelli, Michael Cifelli, Matthew Marsala, Mary Marsala, Oliver McHenry and Holly Ginley; a brother, Richard Grey and wife, Barbara of Rockville Center; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by a son, Richard “Ricky” Marsala, who died in 1954, and eight of her siblings. 

Friends may call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 4-7 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2019, when Kathleen’s family will be in attendance.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2019, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street, Cooperstown, with Fr. Peter Pagones, Interim Presider, officiating. 

The Service of Committal and Burial will be at 1 p.m. Monday, November 25, 2019, in Calvary Cemetery (Third Calvary) in Woodside, Queens, with the Rev. Msgr. Steven A. Ferrari, pastor of The Church of St. Teresa, Woodside, Queens, officiating. 

As an alternative to flowers, Kathleen’s family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.