Kathleen Mary (Kathy) Stigberg of East Falmouth, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, at her home. She was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on August 23, 1953. She was the daughter of the late Bertel Edwin Stigberg and Kathleen Alice Sheehy, of Waterbury, CT and stepdaughter of the late Janet Stigberg of Cheshire, CT.

Kathy was raised in the Bunker Hill section of Waterbury and attended Notre Dame Academy. She and her family later moved to Cheshire, CT where she attended Cheshire High School. She attended Wheaton College. Kathy was fiercely independent and took great pride in her ability to do anything she set her mind to. She was an excellent athlete, especially in basketball, which she played through college. She enjoyed meeting new people and learning their stories, regardless of their background. She earned people's trust and respect and was loved and admired for her honesty, fairness, intellect and quick wit. Kathy was proud of her Irish and Swedish heritage. She enjoyed keeping track of the extended family tree including names and relationships. She loved family gatherings and spending time with all her cousins and their families.

Kathy had a varied and interesting professional life. She and a high school friend started a successful painting business in Cheshire after college. She then managed a fruit orchard, cider press and retail store at Bishop Farms in Cheshire. Later she ran a children’s day care from her house in Cambridge, MA and became a real estate agent in Massachusetts. She worked for Gosnold Behavioral Health as a Case Manager providing support for those suffering from addiction.

Kathy grew up spending time in Wellfleet, MA and developed a life-long love of the ocean and Cape Cod. She loved gardening, sewing clothing from linen that she dyed herself, and was a resourceful DIYer. She was intellectually curious and took pride in keeping up with current events. Kathy loved her country and cared deeply about providing aid and assistance to those who need it most. When in good health, she actively voiced her dissatisfaction with the current political climate by peacefully and patriotically voicing her support for constitutional rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, human rights and justice in America every Saturday morning in Falmouth center. She created a sense of community wherever she lived, none more so than in her Alchemy Farm home where she spent her final days.

Kathy is survived by her son, Zachary Knight and predeceased by her son Sean Michael Patrick. She is survived by her former partner, Pat Mellman, her sister, Jan Stigberg and her husband, Richard Winter, her stepsister, Leslie Neal and her husband Wellington, her brother Robert Stigberg, nieces Natalie Neal, Ava Winter and Sarah Stigberg, nephews Lincoln Neal, Daniel Winter and Benjamin Stigberg. If you would like to remember Kathy in a meaningful way, please consider making a donation, in her name, to Gosnold Behavioral Health via this link: Gosnold - Donate