Kathleen Jesse McMahon Hartl, the best wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend anyone could hope to know, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 28, 2006. She joins the love of her life, late husband Werner Hartl.

Kathleen, known to her family as "Cappy," was a 41-year resident of Massapequa. Here she and Werner raised three children, Robert, William and Megan. Now adults with kids of their own, they are incredibly grateful to have been blessed with such a loving and wonderful mom. She didn't miss a single baseball, soccer or basketball game, a dance recital or school play, a parent-teacher night or a bake sale. She and Werner knew the importance of "date night" well before the magazines started writing about it. Their love was truly ageless.

Kathy was born July 6, 1936 in Newtown, CT, to Anna Wargo McMahon and the late John McMahon. Anna and Kathy remained very closed and no daughter will be missed more.

Kathy graduated from Springfield College and began her career as a physical education teacher on Long Island. She left teaching to marry and raise her family, returning to the Massapequa School District in the mid-1980s as a permanent substitute teacher. She worked at Massapequa High School for 20 years and leaves many close friends.

Predeceased by siblings, Patricia and John, and nephew Patrick. Brothers Robert and wife Pat and Brian and wife Janine miss her greatly. She is survived by nephews, Terry, Darren, Rob, Mike, Tim, Jason and John and one niece Kelly and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Her sister-in-law Ruth Hauser and husband John love and miss her too.

Kathy was blessed with two friends of more than 40 years: Doris Lomler of Massapequa and Paul Cohen of Seaford. The family is thankful to both of them for their love and support. Kathy was also active with an extended family of friends especially the "Dinner Group" and the "Bridge Group." Thank you, friends. Kathy loved you.

Her grandchildren were her little-big sunshines, her passion and joy. As each one of her children married, she wrapped each spouse with her gentle, warm love. She was often heard saying she had "six" kids now. Each couple gave her two gorgeous grandchildren. Robert married Shell and together they had Reid and Adden; William married Sharon and they had Matthew and Emma. Megan married Kevin and they had Casey and Noelle.

For more than four decades, Kathleen patronized the Bar Harbor Branch of the Massapequa Public Library almost weekly. She passed on her love of reading to many.

All who knew Kathleen Hartl have been touched in some way, big or small.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Massapequa Public Library.