Kathy’s Crusaders

Honorary Captain: Kathy D’Agostino

Kathy D'Agostino, the "Queen Bee" of Pelham Hockey, earned her nickname for her dedication to growing the organization, her deep sense of community, and her unmatched reliability. Alongside her husband Jim (the "King Pin"), they served as Treasurer and President for 13 years. Under her tenure, Pelham Hockey started its first Mites team, began travelling well outside of Westchester for games, swapped from red jerseys to blue and gold, and transformed into the well-known travel program it remains today. She also served on the board of the Pelham Junior Skating Club, where she made the club more inclusive to all of Pelham’s children. 

Kathy loved to tell stories about the wonderful memories traveling to her three son's games and cheering for Pelham. They were her best years she'd say. Her hockey friends truly became more like family. She was well known for her locker room pep talks, inviting players from all over Westchester to join the program, and finding ways to scholarship families that needed help. There is no way to know how many kids she fed at her kitchen table before games, how many rides to practice she gave, or how many hockey team dinners she hosted. One thing is for certain, you could always count on Kathy. Her generosity and community service were unrivaled. 

Kathy survived a battle with breast cancer in the 1980's at a time when treatment options were sparse and survival rates grim. Years later she overcame a recurrence. Amazingly, she hosted a hockey dinner on the same day she came home from reconstructive surgery. 

On March 2nd, 2019, she was taken to the ER for a series of tests after being very disoriented and confused.  Three days later she underwent brain surgery to remove part of a large tumor located behind her right eye. A biopsy revealed the worst, glioblastoma. 

Her family came together to care for her while she spent four weeks receiving radiation and chemotherapy. The Queen Bee was not going out without one final fight! Despite her spirit to beat the cancer and care from some of the best doctors in the world, her health quickly deteriorated. Kathy died on July 28th, 2019 just five months shy of her 70th birthday and less than five months from diagnosis. 

She is missed everyday by her mom Arline Hellwig, her three sons (Kris, Chase and Tom) and their wives (Kristen, Tanya and Julia) and 7 grandchildren (Shilo, Chase, Tessa, Pilot, Henry, James and Rowan). Before passing she was able to watch her grandson Chase play in one final hockey game. She beamed with pride.