Obituary of Kathleen Ann Kohena

Kathleen was born Wednesday, April 8, 1956 and died peacefully at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. She was 68 years old. Kathleen was the first of three children born to the late Julius D. and Shirley J. (Hilton) Kohena. She was baptized as an Orthodox Christian on May 13, 1956 at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Elmira Heights where she was a lifelong member. In addition to her parents Kathleen was predeceased by her maternal grandparents Clifton John and Lola (Wolverton) Hilton and her paternal grandparents John and Anastasia (Haverlak) Kohena. She was also predeceased by her sister, Kristen M. Kohena, January 14, 2024. Furthermore, she was predeceased by Beatrice Eisenhower who, as Kathleen's caregiver for many years, provided many hours of love and support. Kathleen is survived by her brother and sister-in-law John C. and Loueva M. Kohena of Horseheads, NY; niece Jennifer L. Spicer of Horseheads, NY; nephew and spouse Christopher E. and Greta R. Spicer of Bloomingdale, NY; and grandnephews Tully R.R. Spicer of Bloomingdale, NY; Bevan MacPike of Elmira, NY; Sage E. Kowell-Spicer and spouse Larissa Goalder of Chicago, Ill; and several cousins and their families. In addition, she is survived by her good friend Patricia (Roller) Boland of North Carolina and her "Irish Sister" Shelley (Wallace) Mitchell of Northern Ireland (UK) who spent two wonderful summers during the 1980's with the Kohena family. Kathleen was diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy at 8 months of age at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester New York. At the time of diagnosis, a neurologist instructed her parents to "place her in a state institution, forget she was ever born, and go have other children; and whatever you do, do not keep this child at home. If you do, it will destroy your family." Kathleen's parents thanked the doctor for his time and left the appointment. Years later, her parents described the ride home from Rochester as "the loneliest and longest car ride they ever experienced." However, one thing was very clear to Kathleen's parents upon arriving at home: placing her in a state institution and forgetting that she was ever born was not acceptable! Rather, they desired for Kathleen to live at home with her family and receive those services that would enable her to become independent, productive and most importantly integrated in the local community. This desire would have a tremendous impact not only on Kathleen's life, but also on the lives of many persons with disability living in Chemung County. Kathleen demonstrated at a very young age that she was brave. Since there were no locally based services for her in Chemung County in the late 1950's and early 1960's, Kathleen often had to receive critically needed therapies far from home. When she was 4 years old Kathleen attended the Edith Hartwell Clinic in LeRoy, New York where she received early intervention services. In addition, when she was 8 to 10 years old Kathleen received services at the West Haverstraw Rehabilitation Center, often staying for several months at a time where she would be separated from her loved ones. When she was older, she endured painful and potentially dangerous surgeries with the hope of increasing her ability to walk. In 1970 she went through a bilateral heel cord lengthening procedure. In addition, in 1979, Kathleen agreed to undergo an operation where she had neuroelectrodes directly attached to her brain. Kathleen persevered in the face of discrimination. When she was 5 years of age, Kathleen was denied educational services by the Elmira Heights School District because in 1961 the district "did not educate those kinds of students." However, a group of volunteers established a classroom for disabled children at the Booth Elementary School in Elmira. She gladly attended this program where she learned to read and write. Often, she would practice by reading books at home. The volunteer lead classes were eventually replaced in the early 1970's with special education classes provided by SCT BOCES (Now known as GST BOCES). Kathleen attended the BOCES classes until she turned 18 years of age. Kathleen was strongly independent and wished to live a separate life from her family. By the age of 24, various community residences were being created in the area. In 1980 she moved into one of the first ARC operated community residences. The following year she moved to a community residence operated by Pathways of Corning. By 1984, Kathleen moved into Able 2's ICF on Old Ithaca Road where she lived on Cedar Lane. In 2004 she moved to the Westlake IRA. Then in 2024, she returned to the ICF where she lived on Birch Lane. Furthermore, starting in 1976, Kathleen began working at Capabilities Inc. In 1979 she began working at the ARC of Chemung County in the former Remington Rand factory. In 1980 she began attending the Pathways Day Treatment program in Corning. Kathleen knew how to enjoy herself. Plus, she had a great sense of humor. Kathleen found great pleasure in attending Camp STAR every summer. In 1972, she was named the "Queen of The Ball" of Able -2's first major fundraising event held at the Horseheads ELKS club. Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra provided the music for the event. She loved swimming in Seneca Lake at her family's summer home. She enjoyed the many trips to Brigantine Island where she played in the ocean water. She loved to travel with her family and had visited many places, including the Adirondak Mountains, the Gettysburg Battlefield, Virginia Beach, Washington D.C., and Disney World. The most interesting experience Kathleen had was when she visited the White House in 1967. She and her father were able to use the Presidential elevator to travel to the second floor during the tour. She loved shopping at Walmart and The Arnot Mall. She enjoyed eating out at the Olive Garden. Watching detective shows on TV was a favorite pastime. Kathleen was an artist and created many pieces for her family. She even received an award for one of her creations. More than anything else, Kathleen enjoyed going to see the Chippendales whenever they came to town. Finally, Kathleen found pleasure in consuming Pink Cat! For over 68 years the Kohena family has been the beneficiary of so many acts of caring, of kindness and of love. We are grateful for all this support that has been bestowed upon us. We especially wish to thank the staff at Able 2 for their generosity of patience and understanding. Our family could not have survived without it. We have been truly blessed by your actions. The Kohena family could not be more grateful for your efforts. Thank you so much! Family and friends are invited to visit Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 139 Horseheads Blvd, Elmira Heights, on Monday, March 31st, 2025 from 6pm to 7pm. Panikihida will be held at 7pm. Her funeral service will be held there on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 10:30 am. Rev. Fr. David Cowan will officiate. Committal prayers and interment will follow in Holy Trinity Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation in Kathleen's name to: Able-2, P.O. Box 1554, Elmira, NY 14902.