NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (April 21, 2026) — Katharine Wilson Conroy, a New Rochelle attorney, civic leader, and daughter of former New York Gov. Malcolm Wilson, died on the morning of April 16, 2026, after a long illness. She was 83.
Known to family and friends as Kathy, Conroy was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Yonkers, the daughter of Malcolm Wilson, who served as lieutenant governor of New York State for 15 years before being appointed governor following the resignation of Nelson Rockefeller, and Katharine McCloskey Wilson, a pianist.
Conroy attended Elizabeth Seton Academy and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Massachusetts. She earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia Teachers College and taught high school English in White Plains and night school in New Rochelle before pursuing a legal career.
She earned her Juris Doctor from Fordham University Law School — the same school from which her father had graduated — and joined the White Plains law firm of Kent Hazzard in 1980, where she specialized in estate planning, guardianship, and real estate law. She later became managing partner. After 31 years at Kent Hazzard, she became of counsel to the Scarsdale firm Bertine Huffnagel in 2011 and practiced there until her retirement in 2025.
Conroy was married in the summer of 1966 to John “Jack” Conroy, whom she met at a beach weekend in Sea Girt, N.J., while both were working as teachers. They were married for nearly 60 years and raised five sons.
She became a law student while already raising four children, and had her fifth son, Greg, between her first and second year of law school.
When her father sought election as governor in 1974, Conroy campaigned for him across New York State, delivering speeches and meeting with political groups. She also followed him into civic life, serving a term on the New Rochelle City Council and on the New Rochelle Zoning Board.
Her philanthropic work was extensive. She served for many years on the board of the Visiting Nurse Services of Westchester, an organization her mother had helped found. She was a founding member of Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester and joined the boards of the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation, Fordham Preparatory School, and Regis High School.
She went on to serve on the board of Westchester Arc, which supports individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, eventually becoming its president. She later served on the board of NYSARC, which serves the entire state of New York, and became its president as well. She subsequently chaired the NYSARC Guardianship Committee, which provides legal guardians and advocacy for individuals when families are unable to do so.
Conroy is survived by her husband, Jack; her sons Sean, Chris (Lisa), Emmet (Amy), Brendan (Nicole), and Greg (Ul); and 10 grandchildren: Lily, Kate, Jack, Kevin, Ryan, Declan, Charlie, Rowan, Caroline, and Malcolm. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Anne Matthews; and her nephew David Matthews.
A wake will be held Friday, April 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fred McGrath and Son Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 25, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Family, 83 Clove Road, New Rochelle. Father Michael Greco, OFM Cap., will be the celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Arc New York, 29 British American Blvd., Latham, N.Y. 12110, or the charity of one’s choice.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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