Karen A. Mott Hennessy

June 7, 2015

Karen A. Mott Hennessy, 67, of Syracuse, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2015 with her family at her side. Karen lived and loved life to the fullest but her internal journey has taken her on a path to be with the Lord.
Karen is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Jack, and her loving daughters and their spouses: Erin LeClair and her husband Matthew, and Jill Agan and her husband Andrew. She is also survived by her 6 adored grandchildren: Abbey, Hannah, Molly, Jack, Grace and Luke LeClair. Also brothers Timothy (Christine) Mott of Marcy, NY and Kevin (Maureen) Mott of Sierra Vista, Arizona, as well as their children and grandchildren. Karen was predeceased by her father, Wallace R. Mott, her brother, Daniel F. Mott and her beloved mother, Rosemary L. Mott.
Karen was born on July 17, 1947 in Utica, NY. She was raised there with her brothers and graduated from Utica Catholic Academy High School. She then attended Morrisville College and Cortland Hospital where she received her degree in nursing. A nursing career was a natural extension of her kind and caring personality. Karen worked at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse as a pediatric nurse for 25 years. Caring for children was her forte and her care was equal and boundless for the many patients she came in contact with over the years.
While caring for children was a love and passion, one of Karen’s other great gifts was her ability to meet people and make friends, greatly aided by her wonderful sense of humor. A long list of friends, including those met at a meeting or standing in line or just in passing on a walk, will sorely miss Karen’s easy conversations and exuberance for life.
As grandchildren started to enter Karen’s life, she decided to retire from nursing and devote most of her time to being an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives. As the grandchildren grew up, they came to know every park and library in Onondaga County, meeting old and new friends along the way. As the children grew through their school years, Karen volunteered for their elementary school PTO. She was a dedicated worker for the organization and their many events and cared very deeply for the staff and community of the school.
Karen also belatedly reacquainted with high school friends from Utica who got together for monthly dinners. She easily fit in with old friends even after 50 years of being separated by distance but not remembrance and friendship. Karen will be greatly missed by family, friends and acquaintances everywhere who knew her great sense of humor and shared her friendship.
Calling hours for Karen will be Monday, June 15, from 4 to 7 pm at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 am on Tuesday, June 16 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 Onondaga Street, Syracuse. Mass will be followed by a burial service at St. Mary’s Cemetery and Mausoleum, 4100 E. Genesse St., DeWitt.

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