Kathleen M. Tivnan

Kathleen M. Tivnan, age 98, passed away at her Lansingburgh home on Oct 26th with her good friend and neighbor, Anne Chiera, by her side. Kathleen was born in Wellesley, Mass on May 24, 1925 and grew up in Cochituate (Wayland), Mass, where her parents ran their family grocery store. Kathleen received her BA in Teaching at Framingham State Teacher’s College in 1947 and her MA degree from Boston University in 1948. After teaching briefly in Quincy, Mass, Kathleen moved to Troy in 1950, where she taught 5th and 6th grade Social Studies and Science for over 30 years, until her retirement in the early 1980s. 

"Miss Tivnan" was much-loved by her students and was well known throughout Lansingburgh, bumping into her former students wherever she went. Kathleen was also dedicated to her parents and family, and in the late 1970s, moved her parents to her home and took care of them in their final years. In her retirement, Kathleen devoted much of her time learning the history of Troy, eventually joining and becoming the President of the Lansingburgh Historical Society, where she created a "drive-along" cassette recording of historical Lansingburgh. Kathleen also loved to travel, and during her early teaching years, sailed by steamship to Europe. After retiring, Kathleen enjoyed visiting her brother Jack and family in Florida, and she also traveled to Ireland, Europe and Russia. Kathleen worked hard, enjoyed life, and lived it well.

Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine (Woods) Tivnan, both originally from Ireland. She was also predeceased by her beloved brother, John “Jack” Tivnan, his wife Natha, and two nieces, Anne Tivnan and Moira Lee Hagen, all of Florida. Kathleen is survived by her great niece and nephew, Nicole and Jackson Hagen, of Florida; Stephen Tyler, of Illinois; cousin, Margaret Tivnan, of Massachusetts; and good friends, Warren Broderick, George and Maureen Goodwin, Lee and Felicia Bordick and Kathy Towne.

In recent years, Kathleen was lovingly cared for by her former student, Audrey Vallee, her longtime neighbor, Anne Chiera, and Victoria Sherman, who were devoted to her. Kathleen was a generous person and a friend to many, and was lucky to have had such caring friends in her life. She will be lovingly remembered by them, her students, and members of the Lansingburgh Historical Society.

Calling hours will be held on Monday October 30, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home, corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue, Lansingburgh. Funeral service at 10:00 am on Tuesday October 31, 2023 at St. Augustine’s Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Troy. Please visit www.mcloughlinmason.com.