Obituary
Kathleen Donnell Sargent, 73, of Winter Springs, FL, died peacefully under hospice care for pneumonia, August 11, 2022, at Advent Health – Altamonte Springs.
She was born July 16, 1949, in Montour Falls, NY, to Michael and Jeanne (Smith) Donnell. Kathy graduated from Watkins Glen High School in 1967 and earned degrees from Alfred State University, A.S, 1972, University of Rochester, B.A. Psychology, B.A. Sociology, 1976 and University of Central Florida, M.Ed. Elementary Education 1985. During her high school and college years, she was an athlete and received varsity letters in tennis.
She was married to John Sargent, July 1972, at the Alfred State University campus church. They had two sons (twins), Andrew John Sargent, and Brian Michael Sargent in 1979.
In 1972, Kathy was employed by Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY, as an associate in International Marketing. In 1979, the warm weather and sunning skies of Florida beckoned, and she and spouse settled in Winter Springs, FL, where they remained for 43 years. After raising her boys until school age, she was employed at Eastbrook Elementary and later Heathrow Elementary school, Lake Mary, Seminole County, FL, where she taught for 30 years. Kathy was determined to teach her students how to develop a thirst for knowledge and be lifetime learners. She was awarded Teacher of the Year, Heathrow Elementary in 2001.
Being a teacher gave her the opportunity to enjoy vacations during the summer with her Sons and Siblings (6), in her childhood hometown of Watkins Glen, on the shores of Seneca Lake in the finger lakes region of central NY. They would rent a lake cabin and enjoyed swimming, fishing, and picnics with family.
She is survived by her husband, John Sargent (Winter Springs, FL), sons, Andrew (Caitlin) Sargent (Jacksonville, FL), Brian (Kimberly) Sargent (Orlando, FL), grandchildren, Caroline, Lily and Aiden and siblings, Linda (Lee) Bradley, Newington, CT, Michael (Susan) Donnell, Hilton Head, SC, Timothy (Laurie) Donnell, Pittsford, NY, Carol (Robert) Tully, Deerfield Beach, FL, Barbara Donnell (John Doolittle), Watkins Glen, NY, and Mary Donnell (Eric Herminghausen), East Burke, VT.
Services will be private, Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, at a date TBD.
Life is funny..... Today 12/15/22...as I was walking my dog , Mrs. Sargent popped into my thoughts . A realization came over me that she was the 1st person to show me true compassion . I felt it and remember it to this day ! The story behind that day was that she always LOVED to have us write poetry. I hate writing! Lol
I struggled with writing poetry beyond words. English is not my best subject and never has been lol. I remember it was the second time that week we are working on a poem and I was just sitting solo table just crying because I was struggling to write down words. And I remember she came over to me so gently and so quietly it just sat by me and helped me. She was such a kind and loving woman. A beautiful soul I'm blessed to have that opportunity where she touched my heart. She will always be remembered and loved.
Casie Kansol
40 yrs old now .....
Rest In Peace, Mrs. Sargent.
Kathy Dinger
John and Kathy at Brian and Kim's wedding