Kathleen “Kathy” Felix, 81

Former Leesburg, VA, resident Kathleen “Kathy” Felix died Jan. 30, 2013, in the Hospice Hock Pavilion of Durham, NC, after a long fight with heart and kidney diseases. She was 81. Born in Elmira, NY, Sept. 23, 1931, Mrs. Felix graduated from that city’s St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1952 working there for a few years before moving to New York City in 1956.

As the head nurse of the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center kidney transplant program in the 1960s, Mrs. Felix was a pioneer in the nursing aspects of kidney transplantation and dialysis, and was the first nurse to address Grand Rounds at that prestigious hospital. Mrs. Felix retired from nursing after the birth of her son and in 1978 moved to Leesburg, VA, where the family resided for 27 years. Mrs. Felix was actively involved as a volunteer in many Loudoun County initiatives including special education, the YMCA, the Salvation Army and the religious endeavors of her church, St. John the Apostle.

Mrs. Felix is survived by her husband Charles, her son Chaz and daughter-in-law Kendall and grandsons Kelley, 3, and Cosmo, 8 months; also by a brother, James, and sisters Mary Ellen, Rita, and Sheila; three other brothers, William, Jerome and Michael preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in the name of Kathleen Skelley Felix to your local Hospice or to the Hospice Foundation of America. Online condolences may be sent at www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com.