Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Midwife Kelly McDermott

SHARON SPRINGS — Kelly Therese McDermott, a revered midwife and cherished member of the Sharon Springs community, passed away on March 10, 2025, at the age of 63, after a brief illness. Her life was a testament to compassion, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to the health and empowerment of women and families.

Born on February 19, 1962, in Queens, New York, Kelly grew up with a deep sense of purpose. A graduate of West Babylon Senior High School, she pursued higher education at SUNY Albany, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Women’s Studies. Her calling to midwifery began in 1984, following the home birth of her first child, a transformative experience that set her on a lifelong path of service and advocacy.

Over the course of nearly 40 years, Kelly touched thousands of lives as a midwife, making an indelible impact on the home birth community of the Capital Region and beyond. Initially practicing as a direct-entry midwife, she continually advanced her skills and qualifications, becoming a Certified Professional Midwife, a labor and delivery nurse, and ultimately, a Master's prepared Certified Nurse Midwife. In 2010, Kelly founded Sage-Femme Midwifery, an independent practice specializing in home birth care. Her work was not just a profession but a ministry, one that reflected her profound respect for the strength and individuality of each family she served.

Kelly was a vibrant personality known for her love of the color purple, whimsical home decor, and the joyful way she referred to her clients as her “ladies.” She delighted in reconnecting with her Irish heritage through music and visits to Ireland.

Kelly's legacy extends beyond her professional achievements. She was a devoted wife to Gary Edelman, a loving mother to her children Nina and Moriah Cutro-Kelly, Galen “Johnny” Cutro-Kelly, Ezra Edelman-Kelly, and step-daughter Rachel Edelman. She cherished her brothers Sean (Sandie), Brian, and Kevin McDermott, her dogs Sophie Belle and Pepin, and a wide circle of cousins and loved ones. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Celeste Edelman-Kelly.

The Sharon Springs and Albany communities are invited to celebrate Kelly’s life on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at New Comer Cremations & Funerals in Colonie. An Irish wake, reflective of Kelly’s vivacious spirit, will follow at a location to be announced. This information is courtesy of New Comer.

In honor of Kelly’s enduring mission, donations can be made to Sage-Femme Midwifery to ensure the continuation of its vital work during this transitional period. Midwife Kelly McDermott will be remembered as a beacon of compassion and dedication, her legacy living on in the many lives she touched and the families she helped bring together.