Saratoga Springs, NY - Kathleen Christie Lippiello Finneran, 87, passed away Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 at Wesley Health Care Center where she was a patient for three days following a month long stay at Albany Medical Center. Mrs. Finneran had waged a courageous battle against cancer after being diagnosed in the fall of 2011. Born Feb. 12, 1925 in Watervliet, NY, she was the daughter of the late Mary O'Loughlin and C. Walter Christie. She was christened with the middle name of Lincoln, in honor of the 16th President whose birthday she shared. Her father was killed in a tragic accident when she was seven years old and she was raised by her grandparents, George and Minnie Christie. She attended public schools where she met her first husband, Pat Lippiello. They married while he was in basic training during World War II. Pat passed away on July 7, 2005. In addition to her parents, grandparents and husband, Kathleen was predeceased by four sisters, Isabel Danzig, Anna Mae Johnston, Cornelia "Betty" Gregware and Georgene Mitchell as well as a cousin, Richard Christie. She is survived by her son, Patrick Lippiello of Altamont, NY; her husband of eight months, Denny Finneran; stepchildren, Dr. Matthew (Janet), Kathy (Charlie) Rainier, Clarke (Jill), Mark (Celine Reynaud), Mary (Craig) Turza, and Beth (Jeff) Kollar; 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She also leaves her nieces who have been surrogate daughters to Patricia Cerone (and her friend David Lastarza) and Donna Mitchell (Ron Tys), as well as several other nieces and nephews, including Judy Sampson who she called every evening; and a sister-in-law, Marie Recupero. Kathleen valued her friendships with Cathy Maguire, Jimmy Stafford, Field Horne, Bob and Dara Flanagan, Frances Whitacre, Emily Stahl, Marian Crandall, C.B. McKonkey, Judith O'Connor, Mary Zabala and many new friends among the residents and staff at Embury Apartments. A life-long learner, Kathleen's post high school education included formal studies at Illinoi-Wesleyan University as well as several other colleges as she and her family moved for employment opportunities. They resided in Illinois, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Virginia. She often read a book a day for both enjoyment and to hone her professional skills as an editor. Working for such firms as Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Computer Science Corporation, and when relocating to New York, she worked for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. She left there after twenty years of service when diagnosed with cancer and began proofreading the magazine Saratoga Living as a favor to her friend Field Horn, telling him that cancer was not going to stop her from being productive. Kathleen was also a member of the singing chorus, Sweet Adelines, performing many benefit concerts throughout the east coast. She had a lifelong interest in horse racing and was a self-proclaimed "two-dollar bettor" at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. She had many friends from the backstretch to the homestretch. Kathleen could also recite from memory many poems and stories including the works of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the beautiful life of Kathleen from 11:30am to 12:30pm with a service at 12:30pm on Monday, February 4, 2013, at Christ Episcopal Church, West High Street, Ballston Spa. Kathleen will be laid to rest with her husband Pat at 2pm Monday at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Those who wish may make donations in Kathleen's name to Christ Episcopal Church, The Backstretch Ministry at Saratoga, or to any group that feeds and clothes the needy. The family gives thanks and gratitude to all of the medical personnel and support provided to Kathleen. A special thanks to Dr. Alex Frank and staff of the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center in Saratoga Springs, Dr. Anurag Chandra and staff of Albany Medical Center Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Albany Medical Center M4 surgical and nursing unit professional and support personnel, as well as her primary caregivers, Dr. Morgan Vittengyl and Dianne Belanger and their staff of Malta and the staff at Wesley Health Care Center 3 Springs. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.