Kathryn Trechter

Kathryn Leah Trechter, of Sugar Hill, Watkins Glen, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

She was born on February 20, 1952, in Jefferson City, Missouri. With her parents and two sisters—Jeannie and Sandy—she crisscrossed the Midwest, camping in national parks from the Ozarks to the Grand Tetons. Those early miles taught her that land is something you live with, not merely on.

She finished high school in Ellicott City, Maryland, then earned a bachelor’s and a master’s in psychology from Frostburg State University. A keen listener with a child psychology focus, Kathy became a prized substitute teacher in the Finger Lakes and later a reading specialist in the Campbell Savona School District. Students trusted her because she met them exactly where they were.

In 1978 she moved to a 55-acre farm outside Watkins Glen, New York, bordered by thousands of acres of state forest. There she embraced self-sufficiency—hand weeded organic gardens, livestock, maple syrup runs, and any job that called for duct tape and drywall screws. She married Stephen Trechter at the Schuyler County courthouse in 1983, and together they turned the farm into a living argument for hard work and zero debt.

Retiring at forty-nine, Kathy channeled her energy into an herbal salve business, growing almost every ingredient on the property. She explored the wider world through food, fearlessly mastering Thai curries, Mexican moles, and Mediterranean mezze while staging playful battles over puff pastry’s right to stay puffed. The winter solstice — celebrating the sun’s return — was her favorite holiday, planned for months and feasted with song.

Kathy sang folk ballads while building greenhouses, photographed hawks at dawn with the care of a darkroom purist, and stitched sweatshirts, bathrobes, and sock bunnies for children. She loved cashews, shrimp, blue cheese, and a good maritime shanty; disliked scallops, Napoleons, and (mysteriously) Tom Hanks. Reality, she insisted with a wink, was just a first draft begging for a livelier retelling.

As “Grandma”, she delighted in teaching her grandchildren that creativity knows no limits. Together they devoured Studio Ghibli movies, licked cookie batter from wooden spoons, turned stockpots into percussion sections, and spent many summer afternoons swimming in the ponds.

She was Steve’s tireless advocate during his struggle with dementia and a steadfast protector of anyone she loved. Kathy disliked asking for help yet offered it without hesitation, convinced that most problems surrendered to effort and curiosity.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband Steve, Kathy is survived by her sisters Sandy (Wayne) and Jeannie; her children James (Amy), Sam (Heather), and Kate; and her grandchildren Maria, Jeremy, Layla, Zoey, Lara, and Flynn. She also leaves nieces and nephews Ben, Hannah, Tim, Jason, Roger, and Nathan, along with extended family, friends, neighbors, and former students who learned from her that a garden bed and a hearty laugh can go a very long way.

The family will hold a private celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, please plant something edible and share the harvest with a neighbor — a simple act Kathy believed could change the world. If planting isn’t possible, donations in her name may be made to the Southern Tier Food Bank, 171 Cedar Arts, or CareFirst Hospice, whose kindness eased her final journey.

Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home is assisting the family. A guestbook may be found at www.RoyceChedzoy.com