Obituary of Kathleen M. Goodspeed

Queensbury: Kathleen Mary (Place) Goodspeed, 39, of Ridge Road, went home to be with the Lord on May 27, 2008 after a long, courageous battle with Parry-Romberg Syndrome. Born July 22, 1968, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of Mary (Hall) Place of Lake George and the late Vincent R. Place; also, the daughter-in-law of Patricia Goodspeed and Roy Palmer of Olmstedville. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Beth Ryan. Katie grew up in Glens Falls and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. She attended the College of St. Rose, where she played goalie on the women’s soccer team for 2 years. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in History. Katie took time off from education in 1990 to be a full-time mom to her son, Logan. She later earned a Para-legal degree from Mildred Elly, and met the love of her life and future husband, Ron Goodspeed. She returned to college and obtained a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Katie had a passion for working with individuals with special needs and was most recently employed by Achievements in Latham working with preschool children with autism. Katie was fiercely independent and a free spirit. Katie was the first girl to play on a Little League baseball team in Glens Falls. She was an avid Red Sox Fan. Katie was very athletic and enjoyed hiking, camping and fishing. She was very competitive and was always up for any game. Katie was happiest spending time with family and friends. She loved music, concerts and followed the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 11 years, Ronald Goodspeed of Queensbury; her beloved children; son, Logan Place, of Lake George; her stepsons Derek, Craig (Brittany), and Darren Goodspeed of North Creek; her grandchildren Shayne and Madison Goodspeed. She is also survived by her eight siblings: Jean Cyr and her husband, Jay, of Danielson, CT, Barbara Fallon and her husband, Chris, of Voorheesville; Vincent Place and his wife, Danna, of Westport; Patricia Hamlin and her husband, Martin, of Rising Sun, MD; Timothy Place and his wife, Michelle, of Moreau; Joseph Place and his wife, Marcie, of Saratoga; Kevin Place of The Woodlands, Texas; and Brian Place of Chestertown. Her sisters-in-law Debra Locke and her husband George of Indian Lake; Elaine Goodspeed and Hugh Matson of Olmstedville; Sandra Warner and her husband Larry of Chestertown; her brothers-in-law: Randy Goodspeed of Pottersville and Jeff Goodspeed of Phoenix, AZ and Dan Ryan of Katskill Bay. Also, many cherished nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins survive her. Katie’s life will be celebrated in a prayer service at 3 p.m. Friday, May 30, at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg with Rev. Jerry Ellis, Pastor of the Christian Worship Center in Warrensburg officiating. Friends may call on Katie’s family from 4 to 7 pm Friday immediately following the prayer service at the funeral home. Following will be a family, friends and food gathering held in the fellowship hall, of the Christian Worship Center, Pine Tree Lane, Warrensburg. The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to: The Parry-Romberg Connection, www.geocities.com/HotSprings/1018/. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the kind and loving staff at Glens Falls Hospital where she spent many months on T-5, 3WB and the Rehab. Center; High Peaks Hospice and also to the caring and loving staff at the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing Home in North Creek. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.