BATAVIA/Community remembers longtime neighborhood leader on Redfield Parkway

Residents of Redfield Parkway gathered today to help place bows and signs along the parkway and pillars in remembrance of Kathy Owen, 73, a quiet helper in the community, who passed away on Thursday afternoon at Rochester General Hospital.

Julie Mancuso enlisted Elaine Watson, Martha Woodruff and Linda Conroy this morning to create bows for the poles in the parkway. After a trip to the store for more supplies, signs and bows were added to the pillars as well, with some of the of neighborhood showing up to help.

Kathy has lived in her parent’s house on Redfield Parkway since 1945 and was known as the “Queen of Redfield Parkway”, while her brother Jim Owen, dubbed the “Mayor of Redfield”, has also lived in the homestead since retiring from the Hamburg School District

“She was humble and never wanted any accolades, she was a doer and she would do it,” says neighbor Linda Conroy.

Kathy knew everybody on the street and always welcomed new residents.

“You could ask her about any person that lived on the street, she has four binders of all the people that lived on the street. She knew everybody, she was involved in so many things in the community, she would go to City Council meetings and express her concerns about things, not just on Redfield, but the whole community.”

She encouraged the neighborhood to work together, calling on residents and their expertise to get things done. She also included Batavia Downs and the Batavia VA as part of the community that could accomplish the goals the Redfield Parkway Association created as annual traditions each year.

From the display of American flags, the flowers in the circles and the organization of the Christmas trees up and down the street, Kathy made sure everything ran smooth, enlisting neighbors to participate in the process together.

In 2012, Redfield Parkway celebrated 100 years and Kathy made sure the milestone was a celebration, including the creation of a time capsule near the pillars.

After the flags were stolen that year, she called on Batavia Downs who supplied new ones. She also secured a 911 flag that is displayed on the parkway along side two others near West Main.

Kathy also helped in the creation of the Peace Garden at the Holland Land Office.

Her last task on the street was to make sure the Redfield Parkway pillars were taken care of as they have been deteriorating and are in need of repair.

After 8 years, Kathy’s last task will be completed after the City Council included the repair work in their budget this year.

Before Kathy left the street a few weeks ago, she went door to door collecting the Redfield Parkway Association dues, $10 per household. That money will provide the flowers for the 7 circular islands for the summer.

While going door to door, she stopped in to visit with residents giving them assignments that day as to what they will be doing to help out because she was ready to leave Redfield Parkway in the hands of a very well trained neighborhood.

Linda Conroy, a resident for 25 years, welcomed all the historical ledgers and the four binders full of history. Conroy says she will accept her assignment as a gift from Kathy.

Now to find someone to plant the flowers in Kathy’s circle in front of 2 Redfield Parkway.

Obituary

Katherine A. Owen, 73 of Batavia, NY passed away Thursday, May 23 at Rochester General Hospital. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank E. and Natalie (Walker) Owen and a brother Robert W. She is survived by her brother, James R. Owen of Batavia.

A 1963 graduate of Batavia High School and Alfred State College, Kathy was  proud of playing a key part in maintaining the close knit relationships the Class of ’63  has experienced over the last 55 years.  She had last worked for Attica Bus Service after many years employed in the dental office of Dr. L. L. Mulcahy, Jr.. An accomplished photographer and music lover, she loved the outdoors, her animals and being in nature. As an avid Buffalo Bills and Batavia Muckdogs fan, we know she will be looking down on her favorite teams cheering for that elusive championship.

Visitation for family and friends will be at the J. Leonard McAndrew Funeral Home, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia, on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. 

The family graciously declines flowers and have asked that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Genesee County Animal Shelter, Batavia, NY or Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Kathy’s memory. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net