Kathleen Marie Jones

Kathleen Marie Sportelli Jones, 77, of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on August 18, 2026.

Born on June 10, 1949, in Syracuse, New York, to James and Ann Sportelli, Kathy lived a life defined by her love of family, her faith, and her enjoyment of the world around her. Kathleen will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, strength, and warmth.

Kathy graduated from St. John the Baptist Academy in Syracuse in 1967 and earned a Bachelor's (1971) and Master's degree (1974) in Home Economics from SUNY Oneonta. She was a teacher in several schools, including Holland Patent, Syracuse, and Trumansburg, New York. After teaching, she applied her parenting, culinary, and home decor skills to her family.

Family was at the center of Kathy’s life, beginning with a large, close Italian family and ending with a personal legacy of children and grandchildren. She and her husband, Richard Jones, shared 51 years of marriage and built a life together filled with love, laughter, family gatherings, travel, and traditions. As the mother of Stephanie, K.C., and Jennifer, she was a constant source of love, encouragement, guidance, and support.

Becoming a grandmother brought another special chapter to her life. She treasured her six grandchildren, Harry, Sheamus, Whitney, Parker, Eden, and Piper, and found great joy in family gatherings, holidays, vacations, attending their activities and celebrations. To her grandchildren, she was a reassuring and loving presence who helped create memories they will carry throughout their lives.

Faith was another foundation of Kathy’s life. Her beliefs shaped the way she lived and the values she shared with her family. Kathy was a parishioner of St. Pius X church in Loudonville and the Church of the Epiphany in Manhattan.

Kathy also had a wonderful curiosity about the world and a love of travel and new experiences. Together with Richard and her family and friends, she traveled to over 20 countries, and nearly every U. S. state; Rome, Paris, and Hawaii were favorites.

She is survived by husband Richard, children Stephanie (Cameron) Douglass and Jennifer (Harold) Eylward, siblings Marilyn (Ralph) Vitiello, Vincent (Kathy) Sportelli, and Therese (Michael) Clancy, brother-in-law Sheldon Lukin, and several loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, K.C. Jones, and her sister, Ann Lukin.

A mass for the celebration of life will be held at St. Pius X Church on Saturday, September 5, at 2:00PM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Community Hospice.

Her life was measured not simply by the years she lived or the places she traveled, but by the family she nurtured, the faith she carried, and the love she leaves behind.