Kathy Prunier Peris, 74, passed away during the early hours of Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Her devoted husband of 54 years was by her side.

Kathy was born in Elmira on August 5, 1952 to Joseph and Frances Prunier. She is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and Corning Community College. Kathy began her career as a registered nurse (RN) shortly after graduating.

She married John Peris of Corning, NY in 1972 and gave birth to her first of three sons while living in Rochester. Kathy worked as a nurse for Strong Memorial Hospital before settling in Horseheads and giving birth to her second son while working as a nurse for St. Joseph's Hospital. In 1980, after the birth of her youngest son, the family moved to West Elmira where the family home remains.

After she finished her nursing career, Kathy went on to become a nutrition consultant for Nutrisystem, a Real Estate Broker for Century 21 Realty, and a volunteer coordinator for Southern Tier Hospice, where she touched many lives. Finally in 2002, she and John founded JK Peris, Inc. and Kathy served as company President until her retirement. Throughout her career she served as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to whom family was always most important.

She lived a life of service to the community, striving to make the world a better place, a little at a time. She joined her grandfather (Elmer Morgan) and father (Joe Prunier) in service through the Kiwanis Club of Elmira where she is recognized as a former Lieutenant Governor for New York State. She also joined her father as a Director for the Arctic League of Chemung County, a cause that she was very passionate about, and is recognized as a Past President of the organization. Her desire to help people whenever she was able also resulted in her donating over five gallons of her blood to the American Red Cross throughout her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Frances Prunier; grandparents, Edward and Helen Prunier and Elmer and Catherine Morgan, and youngest brother, James. She is also preceded by father- and mother-in-law, Henry L. and Rose Peris.

Kathy is survived by her husband John; three sons, Matthew (Debra), Brian (April) and Jonathan (Danyell) and siblings, Claire Quilty (Michael), Mary Ellen Prunier, Patricia Minchin (Brian), and Joseph Prunier (Cindy). Also surviving are sister-in-law, Theresa Kenna (Charles); brothers-in-law, Dr. Henry J. Peris (Sharon) and James Peris (Candace); her grandchildren, Fletcher (Rachel Berg), Lucas, Charles, Nixon, Reagan, Warren; step-grandchildren, Madison and Dillon as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and lifelong friends, Karen and Robert Kurcoba. Her faithful Maltese, Bella, is also still with us.

Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Friday, October 9, 2026 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A funeral service will immediately follow at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any consideration be made in the form of a donation to the Arctic League of Chemung County, a charity that helps provide Christmas gifts for children in need. Their address is Arctic League, P.O. BOX 113 Elmira, NY 14902.