Kathleen (Kelly) Lippert Smeriglio

She was born on January 16, 1930, in Staten Island, N.Y. to the late James Walter and Winifred (Tighe) Kelly. Survivors include her sons Robert Jr., John (Lorrie), Timothy and Michael Lippert, daughter Barbara Lippert, six grandchildren-James, John, Danny, Stacey, Michael and Sarah. Great-grandchildren include James, Madi, Johnny, Brodie, Brittany, Ashley, Erik, Gavin, Keely, and Alyssa, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her husband Robert F. Lippert in 1987, husband Richard A. Smeriglio 2015, son James in 1975, daughter Kathleen in 2013 and brother Walter “Skeet” Kelly.

Kathleen grew up in historic VanCortlandtville, attended Peekskill schools, Westchester Community College and SUNY Purchase. She married Robert F. Lippert September 22, 1951. They were the first couple to be married in the new St. Columbanus Parish in Cortlandt Manor. They raised their 7 children at the home they built on School Street in Cortlandt Manor.

In Westchester, she was an officer and active member of the Democratic Party, serving on the Committee on Vacancies and representing Northern Westchester. Kathleen was an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 10 for over 20 years, a Charter member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church, serving on the Building Committee for the School and Church, active in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Cornell Home Extension (Toddville Branch), Assumption Mothers Club, and Altar and Rosary Society. She was employed as an administrative assistant at Westchester County Operations, Probation Dept and Community College for many years. When she retired in 1986, she made her home on Sunside Rd in East Durham.

She was a communicant of The Our Lady of Knock Shrine in East Durham, N.Y., where she married Richard Smeriglio on March 4, 2000. While living in Greene County, she was a member of the Clematis Garden Club and served as an ombudsman for the elderly. She enjoyed swimming, camping, traveling, reading, gardening, local politics, and proud of starting libraries in both Assumption and St. Columbanus parishes. With her late husband Robert, they visited many countries.

Relatives and friends will be invited to attend a service in the Spring (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) at Richards Funeral Home, 29 Bross Street, Cairo, N.Y. 12413, after which interment will take place in the family plot at the Cairo Cemetery, Cairo, N.Y. The Date will be announced on the Richards website.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties: www.hospiceoforange.com Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.