Obituary of Kathleen Anne Lesh

Kathleen Anne Lesh, 68, of Danbury, CT, died at home on March 12, 2018, leaving the world a less kind place in her absence. She was the beloved mother of Matthew William Lesh and Emily Anne Peavey.

Kathy was born on November 8, 1949 in Norwalk, CT to William H. Canty and Helen Reilly Canty. She graduated from Wilton High School and attended American University and Katharine Gibbs School. She worked as a paralegal and later as a trusted associate for real estate appraisal company Hilson Associates of Norwalk.

Workplace and financial achievements were never what mattered to Kathy. She valued only goodness, decency and humor, and her life’s work was passing those values to her children. In motherhood, Kathy found the job that she was born to do. She gave Matthew and Emily childhoods that were nothing short of magical. Her nurturing and warmth built a shelter of inexhaustible love and support that her two children will always take refuge in. And they learned from her to maintain a sense of humor even in the darkest of times. 

Nothing made Kathy happier than being surrounded by her family. She especially cherished time with her two grandsons. She loved Bruce Springsteen, and attended 11 of his concerts, priding herself on knowing exactly when to pump her fist during “Born to Run.” She was a lifelong New York Yankees fan, and Bobby Richardson was her all-time favorite player. She adored her dog Jeter, warm summer days, visits to Cape Cod, Chicago and Austin, and the sound of her children and grandchildren laughing.

Kathy had a heart of gold and the soul of a poet. She felt the world deeply and found beauty and joy in the smallest moments. Because of her giving and empathic spirit, Kathy was the person friends and family turned to in difficult times and rejoiced with in happier ones. She devoted her life to her family and leaves a legacy of love, compassion, and grace.

Kathy will forever be missed by her children, Matthew and his wife Stephanie Lesh of Chicago, IL, and Emily and her husband Ross Peavey of Austin, TX; grandsons Dylan Patrick Lesh of Chicago and Owen Matthew Peavey of Austin; and mother Helen Reilly Canty of Danbury. She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings, Suzanne Hilson and her husband Ray of Norwalk, Deborah Gula and her husband Gary of New London, Timothy Canty of Southbury, and Mary Beth Canty of Danbury; as well as three nieces and four nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her father, William “Hank” Canty in December, 2017. Her family chooses to believe that Hank went first to make sure whatever comes next was good enough for his little girl.

She lives on in the smiles of her two grandsons, the hearts of her children, and the fond memories of the many who loved her.

Private services were held.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you turn up Kathy’s favorite Springsteen song, “Out in the Street” as loud as it will go, open your window, and yell out “Is there anybody alive out there?”