Kathleen Sobotka

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Kathleen Manning Sobotka, age 66, on July 21, 2022.  Kathleen was the oldest of 6 children born to Richard and Norma (McMahon) Manning on August 13, 1955, in Methuen, MA.  Kathleen spent her childhood years in Durham, NH and Whitesboro, NY.  She graduated from Utica Catholic Academy in 1973, St. Joseph Nursing School in Syracuse in 1976 with an RN degree, and Utica College with a bachelor’s degree.  She lived in Syracuse for the rest of her life.  
Kathleen began her nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital where she worked for over 30 years.  Most of her work was in the NICU where she lovingly cared for the tiniest and most fragile babies.  She later worked for a pediatric practice and was a substitute school nurse in the Syracuse area. 
Kathleen loved her children, family, and close friends.  She enjoyed annual family trips to Seabrook Beach, NH, quilting, farmer’s markets, vodka tonics, Riley’s, Girl’s Nights, Green Lakes and visiting family.  She was very proud of her Irish heritage and loved celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.  She also enjoyed cheering for Syracuse University sports teams, the Boston Red Sox, and New England Patriots.
Kathleen was diagnosed with glioblastoma Grade IV in 2015.  Despite the prognosis that she would not survive beyond 12 months, Kathleen went on to live for over 7 years.  Her positive outlook, perseverance, and determination to continue to live life as best she could, despite the odds, are an inspiration to all who knew her.  
Kathleen will be greatly missed by her children, Sean Sobotka and Shannon Sobotka of Syracuse, NY, siblings, Erin Linnell (Richard), Concord, NH, Sean Manning, Binghamton, NY, Patrick Manning (Sandra), Watertown, NY, and Meg Manning (Jamie Goodhue) of Marlborough, MA.  She was predeceased by her parents, sister, Maureen Manning (Mike Walsh) and niece Karli Hough. She also leaves her loving nieces and nephews, Shawn, Molly, Melanie, Alice, Daniel, Myah, Zachary, and great niece, Everly.
At Kathleen’s request, services will be private. Burns-Garfield Funeral Home of Syracuse NY is in care of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to First Unitarian Universalist Church, 109 Waring Rd, Syracuse, NY  13229, or the American Brain Tumor Assoc., 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631 (www.abta.org).