On September 25, Kathleen “Katie” Mayo Deel went peacefully to be with the Lord at the age of 91.
Katie was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to parents Russell L. and Catherine Mayo. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Elmer Deel, as well as her three brothers, Russell, Donald, and Dean. A graduate of Virginia Intermont College, she retired from United Coal Company as a manager of payroll. She was a member of Shakesville Church of Christ.
She leaves behind two daughters, Debbie (Alvin) Mitchell of East Brookfield, MA, and Kim (Larry) Fleming of Vale, NC; grandchildren Sarah (Marcus) Iamurri of Tryon, NC, and Steven (Rosa) Mitchell of Sarasota, FL; and great-grandchildren Althea Iamurri, Cannon Iamurri, Benjamin Mitchell, Oliver Mitchell, and a new Mitchell great-granddaughter expected in November.
Proud to be a native New Englander with a family tree dating back to the Mayflower, Katie spent her childhood summers in Gloucester where her father and uncles were fishermen, and she loved battling Nor’easter snowstorms and recounting tales of visiting the keeper at the Ten Pound Island lighthouse with her brothers. She was an avid gardener, and until her last few days she could be spotted riding her golf cart around the yard and pulling weeds in her well-tended gardens. She loved reading and volunteered as a tutor in a local literacy program. Her love of vintage figurine collecting led her to author three books, and she was an indomitable crossword-puzzle completionist. Katie was a friend to all animals, domestic and wild. As a prolific cat rescuer, she worked as a volunteer surgical assistant in a spay-neuter clinic and would frequently be nursing a stray back to health in her home. She brought a sense of dignity, intelligence, and compassion to every creature she encountered in this world.
The family will host a private memorial service and wishes to thank the staff at Frye Regional Medical Center for the loving and superior care she received. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the People for Animals League in Spencer, MA, which can be found at https://www.people4animals.com/support.html.
I am so sorry to hear this. Praying for the family.
Kim,
I will be thinking about you and your family
In the days to come.My prayer is that God will
Give you peace and comfort you and your family through out this time.
I didn’t know “Katie Deel, but, I wish that I had. God Bless her heart for her dedication to all animals!
Kim and Family,
Karen and I were saddened to hear of the passing of your mom. She and your dad befriended us and showed us hospitality when we were just getting started at Shakesville. They were great encouragers of me in ministry, both possessing great wisdom. Your mom was, without a doubt, my strongest advocate as the Minister in times of frustration and discouragement. She would always remind me of the importance of what I was doing. She gave me the motivation to go on; I could always feel her prayers for strength. Her faith in the Lord was something to be envied and her dedication to the Church something to be greatly admired. She is now enjoying her reuniting with your dad in Heaven and her well deserved eternal reward with the Savior. She was such a blessing to me and I am grateful that I know her and was able to call her a friend! Prayers for you and Family.
KATHLEEN, RIP AND THANK YOU FO ALL YOU HAVE DONE.