Kathleen A. (DeSantis) McRobbie

Kathleen A. (DeSantis) McRobbie, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, leaving behind a lifetime of love, countless treasured memories, and a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Born on October 25, 1947, Kathleen lived her life with a remarkable strength, a gentle spirit, and an unwavering devotion to the people she loved. She was the kind of person whose presence brought comfort, whose words brought reassurance, and whose love made people feel safe, valued, and never alone. Her greatest joy was her family, and she gave of herself freely and wholeheartedly to those she held dear.

Kathleen’s children were the center of her world and the source of so much of her happiness and pride. She leaves behind Robert (Lori) McRobbie, Jennifer (James) Heins, Dyana (Marek) Marczynski, Margaret McRobbie, and son-in-law, Dave Fehlman.

Her role as a grandmother was one she treasured beyond words. Kathleen adored her grandchildren Bobby (Nicole), Kyle, Megan, Alexis (Mike), Phegie, Holly, Bryanna (Miles), Aly, Kathleen (her name-sake), Maya And “fur-grandbaby,” Nala. She celebrated their accomplishments, encouraged their dreams, supported them when they needed her, and took enormous pride in every chapter of their lives. To each of them, she was a constant source of love, support, encouragement, and unconditional acceptance.

Her joy continued with her seven great-grandchildren: Antonio, Penelope, MichaelBenjamin, Annalynn, Mina, Lola, and (soon-to-be-born), Myel.

Kathleen shared a special and enduring bond with her sisters Mary (Dan) Cerio, Cecelia (George) Barrett, and Marguerite DeSantis. Their lives were woven together by years of shared memories, laughter, family traditions, hardships overcome, and moments of joy.

Kathleen carried the memory of those who went before her with her always. She was predeceased by her esteemed parents, James and Cecelia (Maloney) DeSantis, her beloved husband, Robert H. McRobbie; her beautiful daughter, Michele Fehlman; her talented sisters Diane DeSantis and Annette DeSantis; and her cherished brothers James DeSantis and Timothy DeSantis. Though their absence(s) brought a lifetime of heartache, Kathleen kept their memories alive through the stories she shared, the love she carried, and the family bonds they helped create. She will now be reunited with those she missed so dearly.

To know Kathleen was to know a woman whose heart was extraordinarily generous. She had a way of making people feel cared for through the simplest gestures—a listening ear, a comforting word, a helping hand, or simply being there when she was needed. She was a steady presence through life’s celebrations and its sorrows, always putting the needs of others before her own.

Kathleen’s love was not measured in grand gestures, but in a lifetime of little ones: the conversations, the hugs, the concern, the encouragement, the laughter, the home-made cards, and the countless ways she quietly showed the people around her that they mattered. She gave her family a place to turn, a shoulder to lean on, and a heart that was always open.

Her absence will leave an immeasurable emptiness.

Kathleen’s greatest legacy is not simply the life she lived, but the love she created. That love will continue in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, other extended family, and the many friends whose lives she touched. She will live on in the stories they tell, the traditions they carry forward, and the love they share with one another.

Though she is no longer physically beside us, she will never truly be gone. She will remain forever in the hearts of the people who were blessed to call her “Mama,” “Nana,” “Sister,” “Aunt,” “Cousin,” and “Friend.”

Until we meet again, our love will carry us through. She will be missed beyond words as she is loved beyond measure.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Henderson- Johnson Company (where Kathleen worked for 33 years), CRA Medical Imaging, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Your kindness and support of our revered Mama/Nana will never be forgotten.

The family will welcome friends and extended loved ones to honor Kathleen’s life and celebrate the beautiful woman she was.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 705 N Main St, Syracuse, NY 13212. A funeral service will follow on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., also at New Comer Cremations & Funerals. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt.

To share a memory of Kathleen or leave a special message for her family, please visit the Guestbook below.