Obituary of Christine K. Calogero

Christine K. Calogero, of Westmoreland, passed away March 26, 2026, surrounded by her family and the love they had for her. She had been fighting a valiant battle against metastatic breast cancer.

She was born in Oneida on November 26, 1960 to Phyllis Smith King and John King.  Growing up in Oneida, she attended St. Patrick’s School through the 6^th grade.  After graduating from Oneida High School, she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from LeMoyne College, her master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Cortland. After graduating from LeMoyne, Christine worked as a scientist for the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers in Syracuse NY and Hoechst-Roussel in Sommerville, NJ. After briefly working there, she realized her true calling was to be a teacher.

Christine was a dedicated, lifelong educator. For over 40 years, she passionately committed herself to teaching students in the Rome City School District. Christine earned the distinction of New York State Master Teacher and was an adjunct professor at SUNY ESF. Her teaching career started at Staley Middle School and after a few years transitioned to working at Denti Elementary School. However, she was best known for the 32 years she spent at Rome Free Academy as Mrs. Cal. Her RFA teaching career focused on several high school sciences, including Living Environment, Chemistry, and AP Biology. Science was her medium, but the classroom was her canvas. The impact she had on the many young minds sitting in the desks lining her classroom will be felt for decades to come. She cared deeply about every student she taught while never taking credit for the successes each one achieved. She never retired.

Christine’s advocacy for children was rooted well beyond classroom. She served on the Westmoreland Central School District’s Board of Education since 2019, most recently serving as Vice President. She volunteered for a variety of roles throughout the many communities she was a part of. A devoted Catholic, she taught religious education and cantored as a member of the choir at her home parish, the Church of the Annunciation, for many years. Christine also dedicated nearly two decades to Mohawk Valley Performing Arts, ensuring that the show would go on.

In 1990, Christine embarked on her journey to become a sports announcer, starting with RFA Girl’s Basketball. Although it was a short-lived career, it was perhaps her most worthwhile. There, Chistine met her loving husband, Michael, sitting right next to him while he was keeping score. On August 13, 1994, they were married at her home parish of St. Patrick’s Church in Oneida, NY. Together they had two children, Matthew and Clare. Christine’s purest passion was the love she felt for her family and the many loved ones she dearly held so close to her heart. They were truly the epicenter of her life.

Christine always expressed a sharply positive outlook on life, frequently reminding others to “offer it up” in pursuit of helping our neighbors simply because it was the right thing to do. A day never passed where another’s needs were not placed before her own. She was an intelligent, sweet, outgoing, and generous woman wrapped in humility. She reveled in the company of others.

Christine will certainly be best known for her energetic personality complimented kindly by her genuine laugh and sincere smile. Every room she entered felt her presence, but it was never overwhelming. Most notably, she will be remembered by the ever-infectious joy she spread to all those who knew her.

Christine will be missed by all those she had an impact on. She is survived by her husband Michael; her son Matthew Calogero; her daughter Clare Calogero; her cousins who were like her siblings, Bill and Maureen Helmer of Albany, N.Y.; Stephen and Susan Helmer of Manlius, N.Y.; Mary Claire Helmer and Ethan Sewell of Morrisville, N.Y.; and Michael Helmer and Lori Lynch of Summit, NJ; and her many special friends and colleagues, including her dearest friend, Joan Carmody. She also leaves behind her beloved in-laws, Joseph and Mary Calogero of Clifton Park, N.Y; Helen and Timothy Newman of New Hartford, N.Y.; Peter and Mary Calogero of Sherrill, N.Y.; Mary Beth Calogero of Liverpool, N.Y.; along with the many nieces and nephews throughout her family. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother John “JJ” King, Jr; Uncle and Aunt Dr. William and Joan Helmer; sister-in-law Eileen Helmer; and brother-in-law Thomas Calogero.

All are invited to call Monday, April 6, 2026, from 3-7pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College St., Clinton.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills.  She will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Oneida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Christine’s name to support the students and faculty of Westmoreland Schools. Checks may be made payable to the Westmoreland CSD Educational Foundation Fund and mailed c/o the Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502. Contributions may also be made online at www.foundationhoc.org/calogero.