Kristine “Krissy” Walsh of Rock Hill, NY passed away unexpectedly on August 12, 2024 at the vibrant age of 54. Krissy’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those fortunate enough to know her kindness are devastated by the loss of such a beloved figure in Sullivan County, the community she was deeply dedicated to.

Krissy was fated to become a part of Sullivan County’s history since the day of her birth on August 16, 1969, the second night of the historic Woodstock Music Festival.

Born in Monticello to Paul J. Walsh and Marilou Walsh, Krissy’s father was running deliveries to Woodstock in Bethel when her mother went into labor. Grandpa Gus was called upon to get them to the hospital and safely into the hands of Krissy’s grandmother Katherine, who happened to be the Maternity supervisor. Sullivan County’s legacy was made brighter in two ways that weekend: Woodstock, and the birth of a woman who would become an irreplaceable pillar of our community.

A graduate of Monticello High School in 1987, Krissy went on to receive a bachelor’s in business from Boston University, which set the foundation for the respected businesswoman she would become.

Krissy’s drive was evident even in her college years, where she worked her way through school at Molly’s Bar and Filene’s Basement in Boston before moving back to Sullivan County in 2000 to build her dream life on Wanaksink Lake. After returning to the area, Krissy and Ed acquired Dutch’s Tavern in 2002, where she dedicated over a decade forging local relationships that would last throughout her lifetime.

The great highlight of Krissy’s life was the birth of her daughter Paige in 2009, beginning her journey as a proud mom to the person she described as her “mini-me.” Friends and family delighted at Krissy’s habit of bringing Paige along to her many meetings and outings, seeing her daughter as the next generation of leadership with the same community pride and values Krissy instilled in her.

Paige was her everything, and the sky was the limit on what Krissy would give for her to have the best life possible. Those closest to Krissy take solace in seeing so much of her confidence, loving spirit, hustle, and foresight in Paige. She is a reminder of how all the best parts of Krissy will be carried forward by the beautiful daughter she loved so much and who Krissy generously allowed a community of friends and family to help raise.

At the time of her untimely passing, Krissy’s life’s work had become the operation of Thompson Sanitation, a cornerstone of the Sullivan County business community that she proudly co-managed with her loving father Paul. Her dedication to excellence was evident to everyone she served, Krissy often giving out her personal cell phone number as her business line to ensure she took care of each person directly. This dedication also extended to her employees and their families, as evident in her commitment to protecting their safety and wellbeing through a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. To Krissy Walsh, Thompson Sanitation wasn’t a job; it was a lifestyle where her personal commitment to each customer’s happiness and satisfaction placed her in a league of her own.

That spirit extended to others, too, as Krissy was a fierce champion for women’s initiatives, small businesses, and shopping local. In addition to managing Thompson Sanitation, Krissy spearheaded many committees and organizations, She was proud to be a part of the Sullivan County Women’s Business Association, the Sullivan County Partnership for Development, alternative to incarceration, the comprehensive plan committee, and the Wanaksink Lake Club.

She could never do enough for the Rock Hill SPCA or the WSUL Heart-A-Thon.  She was the president of the Rock Hill Business Association and The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the year.

Krissy balanced out her hard work by enjoying vacations to the Outer Banks, taking road trips with her daughter Paige, and skiing as a lifelong regular at Holiday Mountain. Those with the honor of knowing and loving her speak fondly of Krissy’s tremendous foresight, perseverance, business tenacity, intelligence, and unique gift for human connection. She took great pride in the holiday decorations in Rock Hill and will be remembered for her iconic high-vis fluorescent yellow jacket that so perfectly embodied the “rise-and-grind” attitude Krissy lived by.

For all her accomplishments, there isn’t a friend, family member, or colleague who wouldn’t speak most to the way Krissy’s presence elevated any room she walked into. She remains a source of tremendous motivation to us all. Krissy’s remarkable life was a labor of community and, most of all, the love of her father Paul, whose dedication to his daughter and their business made the Walshes one of the most admired father-daughter duos in Sullivan County. But please know that there wasn’t a single person in Krissy’s life that she didn’t hold close in turn, and we are all blessed for having lived alongside this phenomenal woman.

The sudden and devastating loss of one of the brightest, most dependable lights in our lives has left all of us changed forever. May we all seek comfort in the fact that the Sullivan County community she cared so deeply about has been made a better place because of Krissy and may we all carry her legacy forward in that generous spirit.

Krissy is survived by her father, Paul Walsh and his wife, Pat; her daughter, Paige Gallet, and Paige’s father, Ed. Her mother, Marilou Johnstone and her husband John; stepbrothers Mark, Matthew, Stephen, and Sean Johnstone and their families; stepsiblings Kathy Fraser, Chris Cavello, Diane Mace and their families; uncle Ed Walsh and aunt Kathy DePuy; and many extended cousins. Krissy was predeceased by her grandparents Gus and Katherine Olson; Patrick and Ethel Walsh; and Harriet Gottlieb, Krissy’s “surrogate mother.”

Krissy is also survived by Jessica Conklin and Summer Benjamin, the special young women who assisted in raising her daughter Paige, as well as all of the Thompson Sanitation family and Rock Hill community by whom she will be remembered fondly.

A Memorial Service honoring Kristine Walsh will be held at the Rock Hill Fire Department, 61 Glen Wild Road in Rock Hill, New York on Saturday August 17th, 2024.  Visitation will begin at 2 pm and a memorial service will begin at 5 pm. The family & friends of Krissy invite everyone who knew and loved her to join us for a memorial in celebration of her life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Krissy’s honor to either the Rock Hill Business & Community Association, PO Box 280, Rock Hill NY 12775; the Sullivan County SPCA, PO Box 995, Rock Hill NY 12775; or the Rock Hill Fire Dept, PO Box 116, Rock Hill NY 12775

Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello.  For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com