Kathleen Elizabeth Walton

Kathleen Elizabeth Walton transitioned from her earthly body back into the pure spirit of Love on Friday, April 1st, 2022.  This beautiful and creative daughter, sister, wife, mother, professional woman and friend to the world lived in service to others with generosity, kindness, and love.  Kathy was an instrument of God’s love and peace. 

Kathleen was born on August 5th 1945 in Euclid, Ohio. The baby of a family of five siblings, she brought light, joy and sweetness to a loving and close-knit family including aunts and uncles whose visits filled the home with love and laughter.  After moving with her family to Pittsfield at the age of three, she attended Notre Dame School and grew up with many friends and playmates in addition to her beloved older brothers Bobby, Pat, Jimmy, and nephew Tim. Kathleen graduated in 1963 from St. Joseph's High School and earned her associate degree from Berkshire Community College.  Kathy believed in the empowerment of education and encouraged everyone she met to continue their learning.

In 1970, Kathleen married Peter J Sullivan and had two beloved children, Tristan Luke and Sarah Ruth.  The family lived in the woods in Hinsdale where they created a loving home centered around Kathy’s wood cook stove, where she nourished her family with garden grown food, homemade bread and love.   While also working outside the home, Kathleen grew gardens of vegetables and flowers and took care of cats, chickens, geese, rabbits and a goat named Daisy.  Kathy created a world of music, learning and nature for her children, and finished the day gently reading them bedtime stories. In 1988, Kathy, Tristan and Sarah moved to a home in Dalton where she lived the rest of her blessed life. Kathy brought beauty and harmony to her home and life, from her flower gardens to lovingly prepared meals and raucous, joyful visits with friends. 

A hard worker and devoted professional focused on service, Kathleen was highly successful as a bookkeeper and project manager at various Pittsfield institutions including City Hall, Miss Hall's School, and finally, Girls Inc. for a twenty year career.  With her values of generosity and social justice, Kathy loved working for an agency that uplifted children and families.  Following this, she worked for Crane and Company and cared for children at the Dalton Cooperative Preschool.  Until the time of her illness in March, Kathy was still in service as a home health care provider. Her clients became part of her circle of blessing as she treated them with kindness, optimism and tender care.

Kathleen profoundly influenced everyone she touched with her generosity, her empathy, her good cheer and effusive kindness.  She was at the center of an exquisite latticework of friends and family, and always in motion. Her world was a spiral of volunteer service, animal rescues, loving and nourishing people through food, humor, music and a sincere talent for listening and acceptance. She had a relaxed, exuberant spirit that influenced all who met her. 

With empathy and non-judgment, Kathy had a unique way of opening people up, and letting them know they were heard, understood and valued.  Each new chapter of her life brought loyal friends who came to love her dearly and include her as family.  

In addition to her parents Robert H. and Frances (Caufield) Walton, Kathleen was predeceased by her brother Robert C. Walton, her sister Marjorie W. Timothy, and her sister-in-law Kathleen Walton.

Kathleen is survived by her brothers Patrick W. Walton of Pittsfield and James Walton of Dalton, sister-in-law Patricia Walton of Pittsfield, her former husband and friend Peter Sullivan of Hinsdale and her children Tristan Sullivan of Amherst and Sarah Sullivan of Ben Lomond, CA. Kathleen leaves beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren and countless friends.  Everywhere Kathy went she made friends.  Her lighthearted presence and gentle spirit live on in the heart of our community.

Kathleen's children, brothers, close friends and family were devoted to and loved her dearly.  They were with her at her bedside night and day in the final weeks and hours of her precious life.  Her absence leaves an aching loss for all who knew her, a truly loved and blessed woman. We affirm the miracle of Kathleen’s eternal life and Love without end. 

SERVICES: All who loved Kathleen are invited to celebrate and honor her life at the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home on Thursday, April 7, 2022 from 4-7 PM. The celebration of her life will continue on Friday morning with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Church of Dalton at 11 AM followed by a reception at the VFW of Dalton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kathy’s beloved memory may be made payable to either “Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter” or to “American Diabetes Association's New England” and mailed to the funeral home at 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201

Burial will take place MONDAY, August 1, 2022 at 1PM at Ashuelot Cemetery in Dalton