Kathy Keenan is being inducted in to the Hall of Fame for her achievements in acting, leadership in Girl Scouts and as a first responder; for her long service in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); and for her participation in Alumni Association activities.
Kathy’s love of acting began as a child doing plays for family and friends and was cultivated at Van Rensselaer High School, where she was a member of the Drama Club. She acted in school plays and performed in talent shows and later in Community Theater. After graduating in 1968, she had modeling jobs and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild. She has acted in the locally filmed movies “Ironweed” and “The Horse Whisperer”, on sets with notable stars as Daniel Day-Lewis, Sian Phillips, Scarlett Johannsen and directors Robert Redford and Martin Scorsese. She was about to go professional with a role in TV’s “Law and Order” when a car accident left her with a spinal cord injury which put an end to her acting career. She married and became a mom, and turned her high school volunteering for the Girl Scouts into a 25 year venture. In addition, she became a Paramedic and Lieutenant with the Bethlehem Volunteer Ambulance Service and taught CPR, First Aid and EMT courses. In 1989 she was accepted into the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), Fort Crailo Chapter. She has a long, distinguished career there, being awarded on the state and national levels for some twenty years of service including Honorary Regent, Chapter Chaplain, NYS Chair and Museum Correspondent Docent, Recording Secretary, President and Vice President of the NYS Capital District Round Table and many other titles. Through this service she has helped countless soldiers, students, military families and others. In addition, she volunteers at her church and has taught Sunday school, sung in the choir, directed the Christmas pageant, and many other activities. She is also a member of the Dutch Society. Kathy has other talents in writing as well and has had her poetry published and has written for a magazine, newspaper and been publicity chair for several organizations. Kathy has recently lent her expertise to the Alumni Association by judging and mentoring poetry and Shakespearean competitions. Kathy has two daughters and lives in Colonie with her husband Dale where they provide day care to their two granddaughters. She was nominated by her daughter, Emily Lupe.