Yorktown proclaims Kathy Rogers Day

Wednesday is Kathy Rogers Day in Yorktown.

For Kathy Rogers, defying the odds became a way of life.

At 18, Rogers was told she had one year to live and would never be able to have a child. At 34, she received a life-saving kidney transplant and went on to live another 30 years.

She built that life in Yorktown Heights with her husband, Ralph, and their two daughters, Marisa and Caroline.

Rogers, a 30-year Westchester County resident, died May 14, 2024. Tuesday night, the Yorktown Town Board honored her memory, describing her as “a woman of extraordinary strength, fortitude, compassion, and humor whose remarkable life inspired all who knew her.”

Rogers gave that same strength to her community. She was involved with Girl Scouts and organizations connected to the Lakeland Central School District, and for more than 25 years supported Support Connection and its work with people affected by breast, ovarian and other gynecological cancers.

Her intelligence was just as memorable.

According to her obituary, her mind was “razor sharp.” She could answer final Jeopardy questions when contestants could not, fought Town Hall and won, and prevailed in federal and state complaints when others told her she would not.

“She had such tenacity and skill that would’ve made her an exceptional lawyer,” her obituary said.

Her medical challenges continued throughout her life. After her kidney transplant, she survived a massive heart attack, major surgeries and a hip replacement, all within eight months.

“Vegas never bet against Kathy; she continued to defy the odds and triumphed against any hurdle thrown her way,” her obituary said. “She faced life's challenges head-on, inspiring those around her to do the same.”

Ralph told the Town Board that one of his wife’s guiding principles was to “always be brave, especially when you’re afraid.”

Kathy also held a special appreciation for the Lake Mohegan Fire Department and Mohegan Emergency Medical Services, which Ralph said “saved her life” multiple times.

Members of the groups, including Chief Matt Kness, attended Tuesday’s meeting to support the family.

“She admired the courage, compassion, and dedication of the members service, and was deeply touched by the hope and reassurance they brought to the community,” the proclamation read.

Ralph shared that $30,000 was raised for organizations close to the family. He hopes the contribution will help Lake Mohegan EMS purchase a new automated CPR machine.

“She survived because of her grit, her willpower, her strength, her heart, her intuition, her mind blowing intelligence, and her humor,” Ralph said.

For a woman who spent her life defying the odds, those are the qualities Yorktown will remember.