Kathleen B. Waters (1935-2025)

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the death of Kathleen B. Waters, who died peacefully and surrounded by her loving family on December 21, 2025, at the age of 90.

Kathy was born in 1935 in Malverne, NY, to Florence (Dunn) and Bernard Burgess. She was raised in Malverne and attended Potsdam State Teachers College and Adelphi University, ultimately earning her Master's in Social Work in her late 30s.

Kathy married Leo Waters, the love of her life, in 1958, and they were married for 61 beautiful years together until Leo’s death in 2019. They raised two wonderful children, Elizabeth (Beth) and Leo Joseph III (L.J.), and their lives were spent mostly on Long Island and in Florida.

Kathy’s passions growing up were music and singing, and she used her beautiful voice and love of the piano throughout her life, including a great run with the Port Singers in Port Washington, NY. She loved golf and bridge and was a great competitor in both.

Kathy loved giving back and worked in hospice and elementary school tutoring. Her later life brought her to Fairfield, CT to be closer to her daughter’s family, and she built a life surrounded by new friends and acquaintances, and the strong spiritual communities of both St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield and The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University.

Her grandchildren were the center of her world, and she was a huge part of each of their lives.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Toni Merrigan and Frances Canada, and her son, L.J. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Kevin Kells; her three grandchildren, Caitlin (Gordon Abercrombie), Adrianne, and Emmet; her sister, Anne Burkard; and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy lit up every room she entered, and we will miss her dearly.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 2-6 pm in the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield CT. Her funeral mass will take place on Monday, December 29, at 10:30 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 143 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield CT.

 Memorial contributions can be directed to: Fairfield Bellarmine.

To order flowers online, for travel directions, or to sign her guest register, please visit https://leskofuneralhome.com/ www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.