It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my dad's first cousin Katherine Emma Newlin Thomas, age 82, who was more like an aunt and a dear friend to me than a first-cousin-once-removed. She passed away this afternoon (May 15th) around 2:30 p.m. (Daughter of Aubrey Raymond Newlin, Sr. and Agnes Letitia Carter Newlin).
Within a year or so of when I began "tracing my family tree" back in 1974 (at age 15) by corresponding with my grandmom Lethia, and after having pretty much tapped out all the family information known by her, she began providing me with addresses of other members of the family to whom I might write to ask for more. One of the people to whom she referred me was my grandfather's sister, Agnes Carter Newlin, who lived in Philadelphia. It wasn't long into my correspondence with great-aunt Agnes that her daughter Katherine (who also lived in Philadelphia, a few blocks away from her mom) found out we were corresponding and became curious about this mysterious John who was a son of the first cousin she'd known as "baby John" (my dad). Agnes eventually asked if I wouldn't mind writing to her daughter Katherine as well, and I said "Sure!" and thus a 37-year friendship was born.
I still have the first letter I got back from Katherine, dated 15 Jun 1976 (and all the other letters as well). I was 17 and had just graduated from high school. As I went off to college, having never spent a night away from home in my life, Katherine and I became dedicated pen-pals and her letters were always a source of comfort and hilarity for me. Always sharing jokes and bits of humor (some clean, some not-so-clean!), her way of looking at the world, and especially her way of observing and/or relating to family became a window through which I gained invaluable insight into the curious and complex world of my dad's extended family with all of its varying backgrounds. Without her, I'm sure it would have taken me a lot longer to grasp all of the significance and subtleties.
As the years passed, and especially after finally journeying to Philadelphia and getting to meet Katherine and her family in person in 1988, our communication evolved from letter-writing (which still continued) to telephone calls. It was nothing to be on the phone an hour or more with her, almost constantly laughing the whole time. And if I wasn't home when she called, back in the days of answering machines with full-sized cassette tapes, she would leave such long messages that I had to upgrade my 15-minute cassette tape to a 30-minute tape and finally to a 60-minute tape! And there were countless times that she still talked until the tape ran out, cutting her off with an abrupt BEEP! I've never had such interesting and funny messages on my answering machine!
I consider myself blessed to have been able to visit her on multiple occasions, not only at her & Ralph's home in South Philly, but also after they moved to Cape May, NJ, and Ralph's subsequent passing in 1995. Several years ago Katherine moved again, this time sharing a home with one of her daughters, in Fredericksburg, VA.
The last few years had been very sad for her, for she deeply missed not only her husband, but also her brothers and sisters whom she loved very dearly, all of whom had passed before her. Her illnesses of the past couple of years had taken a big toll on her, so it is a blessing that she is now at peace and able to be with her husband and siblings again.
I was with Katherine and Ralph the day they purchased their plots for the Immanuel Union cemetery in Cheswold, DE, whereas of this coming Saturday, May 21st, they will be side-by-side once again.
Katherine, you will be deeply missed.
With love,
Your cousin John
= = = = = = = = = =
Obituary from funeral program:
Katherine Emma Newlin Thomas, daughter of the late Aubrey Raymond Newlin, Sr. and Agnes Letitia Carter Newlin, was born August 3, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Childs Elementary School, Barratt Junior High and South Philadelphia High School for girls. Katherine was the fourth of 6 children, the olive skinned and dark eyed beauty of the litter.
Katherine was christened as an infant, the Godchild of the late Emma Morris Leman. She was always a worker and kept busy helping her mother with chores and errands, even as a young girl.
Katherine fibbed about her age and got a job working for the Campbell Soup Company located in Camden, NJ after school. She often talked about walking across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Center City Philly and into NJ and riding the "street car" home so late at night. Katherine also worked as a waitress at the Palestra, where she served the men of the Armed Forces during WWII. It was there that Katherine suffered an umbilical hernia from lifting the heavy trays. It was an injury that plagued her all of her life.
After graduating from high school, Katherine worked for the Bond Hosiery Company and at a spirits distillery in South Philly. From there she worked as a statistical typist, a job that required perfection and involved typing only numbers most of the day.
In 1952, Katherine met Ralph Carter Thomas, a man 15 years her senior and a friend of her mother's. Ironically, her mother had been a boarder in Ralph's parents' home when he was a boy. In 1953, Ralph and Katherine married. God blessed their union with two daughters; Camille and Duette (Deedy).
Katherine and Ralph resided with Ralph's father, the late Elijah DeSoto Thomas (Pop-Pop), who had recently became a widower. Pop-Pop was a baker and Katherine immediately enmeshed herself in the bakery he had already established. She worked indefatigably helping with the baking, the decorating and the day to day operations of the business. When Pop-Pop retired, Katherine and Ralph converted the bakery to a luncheonette. They became known all over for their wonderful hoagies, steaks and other foods. The success of this business led to the opening of Kathy's Pantry, a restaurant located on the now infamous South Street. News quickly spread about the great food at the Pantry and from that Katherine opened a catering arm to the business whose customers included affairs for the Masons, the Shriners and even a concession in Fairmount Park for The Riders of the Wissahickon, a prestigious riding club.
Through all of this work, Katherine ran a meticulous home. She also was an amazing seamstress and made all of her daughters' clothing until they left for college. She was also the beauty consultant for several young ladies in the neighborhood; arching eyebrows, applying makeup, etc. as needed for their proms and other special occasions.
Katherine closed the business in 1972 and began employment as an insuarance agent with a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Bulletin. She took great pride in being their top sales person on many occasions during her tenure. During this time of semi-retirement, Katherine continued to care for her family, assisting in the care of her mother, Agnes, for ten years prior to Agnes' death.
Desiring a more peaceful and tranquil environment, Katherine and Ralph moved to West Cape May, NJ where she found great pleasure gardening. She planted many speciality rose bushes in honor of family members. She enjoyed venturing to yard sales and spending time entertaining and talking to friends and neighbors.
In 2002, due to a decline in health and a desire to be closer to her children, Katherine moved to Fredericksburg, VA, where she lived with her daughter Deedy, son-in-law Terrell and their two children Proteus and Simeon until the Lord called her home on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm.
In Virginia Katherine maintained very close contact with her many relatives and friends. She loved talking on the phone and was an avid letter writer. She remembered birthdays and other special events in the lives of family and friends.
She kept busy all the time and still made delicious meals and desserts and always lent a helping hand. Her health took a turn for the worse in August, 2010 which led to her being bed-ridden and unable to keep in contact with those she loved.
Katherine's devotion to her family is legendary. She was the family historian and the glue and pleasant balm that held it all together. Her mother often said that Katherine was her ROCK.
Sadly missed and always present in our hearts, she leaves to mourn her loss her daughters, Camille (Rickey), Deedy (Terrell), grandchildren, Paris (Jen), Briana (David), Jared (Rachel), Proteus (Rachel), Simeon Katherine (Alex); nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including Brandon, who helped so much with her care during her illness.
Within a year or so of when I began "tracing my family tree" back in 1974 (at age 15) by corresponding with my grandmom Lethia, and after having pretty much tapped out all the family information known by her, she began providing me with addresses of other members of the family to whom I might write to ask for more. One of the people to whom she referred me was my grandfather's sister, Agnes Carter Newlin, who lived in Philadelphia. It wasn't long into my correspondence with great-aunt Agnes that her daughter Katherine (who also lived in Philadelphia, a few blocks away from her mom) found out we were corresponding and became curious about this mysterious John who was a son of the first cousin she'd known as "baby John" (my dad). Agnes eventually asked if I wouldn't mind writing to her daughter Katherine as well, and I said "Sure!" and thus a 37-year friendship was born.
I still have the first letter I got back from Katherine, dated 15 Jun 1976 (and all the other letters as well). I was 17 and had just graduated from high school. As I went off to college, having never spent a night away from home in my life, Katherine and I became dedicated pen-pals and her letters were always a source of comfort and hilarity for me. Always sharing jokes and bits of humor (some clean, some not-so-clean!), her way of looking at the world, and especially her way of observing and/or relating to family became a window through which I gained invaluable insight into the curious and complex world of my dad's extended family with all of its varying backgrounds. Without her, I'm sure it would have taken me a lot longer to grasp all of the significance and subtleties.
As the years passed, and especially after finally journeying to Philadelphia and getting to meet Katherine and her family in person in 1988, our communication evolved from letter-writing (which still continued) to telephone calls. It was nothing to be on the phone an hour or more with her, almost constantly laughing the whole time. And if I wasn't home when she called, back in the days of answering machines with full-sized cassette tapes, she would leave such long messages that I had to upgrade my 15-minute cassette tape to a 30-minute tape and finally to a 60-minute tape! And there were countless times that she still talked until the tape ran out, cutting her off with an abrupt BEEP! I've never had such interesting and funny messages on my answering machine!
I consider myself blessed to have been able to visit her on multiple occasions, not only at her & Ralph's home in South Philly, but also after they moved to Cape May, NJ, and Ralph's subsequent passing in 1995. Several years ago Katherine moved again, this time sharing a home with one of her daughters, in Fredericksburg, VA.
The last few years had been very sad for her, for she deeply missed not only her husband, but also her brothers and sisters whom she loved very dearly, all of whom had passed before her. Her illnesses of the past couple of years had taken a big toll on her, so it is a blessing that she is now at peace and able to be with her husband and siblings again.
I was with Katherine and Ralph the day they purchased their plots for the Immanuel Union cemetery in Cheswold, DE, whereas of this coming Saturday, May 21st, they will be side-by-side once again.
Katherine, you will be deeply missed.
With love,
Your cousin John
= = = = = = = = = =
Obituary from funeral program:
Katherine Emma Newlin Thomas, daughter of the late Aubrey Raymond Newlin, Sr. and Agnes Letitia Carter Newlin, was born August 3, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Childs Elementary School, Barratt Junior High and South Philadelphia High School for girls. Katherine was the fourth of 6 children, the olive skinned and dark eyed beauty of the litter.
Katherine was christened as an infant, the Godchild of the late Emma Morris Leman. She was always a worker and kept busy helping her mother with chores and errands, even as a young girl.
Katherine fibbed about her age and got a job working for the Campbell Soup Company located in Camden, NJ after school. She often talked about walking across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Center City Philly and into NJ and riding the "street car" home so late at night. Katherine also worked as a waitress at the Palestra, where she served the men of the Armed Forces during WWII. It was there that Katherine suffered an umbilical hernia from lifting the heavy trays. It was an injury that plagued her all of her life.
After graduating from high school, Katherine worked for the Bond Hosiery Company and at a spirits distillery in South Philly. From there she worked as a statistical typist, a job that required perfection and involved typing only numbers most of the day.
In 1952, Katherine met Ralph Carter Thomas, a man 15 years her senior and a friend of her mother's. Ironically, her mother had been a boarder in Ralph's parents' home when he was a boy. In 1953, Ralph and Katherine married. God blessed their union with two daughters; Camille and Duette (Deedy).
Katherine and Ralph resided with Ralph's father, the late Elijah DeSoto Thomas (Pop-Pop), who had recently became a widower. Pop-Pop was a baker and Katherine immediately enmeshed herself in the bakery he had already established. She worked indefatigably helping with the baking, the decorating and the day to day operations of the business. When Pop-Pop retired, Katherine and Ralph converted the bakery to a luncheonette. They became known all over for their wonderful hoagies, steaks and other foods. The success of this business led to the opening of Kathy's Pantry, a restaurant located on the now infamous South Street. News quickly spread about the great food at the Pantry and from that Katherine opened a catering arm to the business whose customers included affairs for the Masons, the Shriners and even a concession in Fairmount Park for The Riders of the Wissahickon, a prestigious riding club.
Through all of this work, Katherine ran a meticulous home. She also was an amazing seamstress and made all of her daughters' clothing until they left for college. She was also the beauty consultant for several young ladies in the neighborhood; arching eyebrows, applying makeup, etc. as needed for their proms and other special occasions.
Katherine closed the business in 1972 and began employment as an insuarance agent with a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Bulletin. She took great pride in being their top sales person on many occasions during her tenure. During this time of semi-retirement, Katherine continued to care for her family, assisting in the care of her mother, Agnes, for ten years prior to Agnes' death.
Desiring a more peaceful and tranquil environment, Katherine and Ralph moved to West Cape May, NJ where she found great pleasure gardening. She planted many speciality rose bushes in honor of family members. She enjoyed venturing to yard sales and spending time entertaining and talking to friends and neighbors.
In 2002, due to a decline in health and a desire to be closer to her children, Katherine moved to Fredericksburg, VA, where she lived with her daughter Deedy, son-in-law Terrell and their two children Proteus and Simeon until the Lord called her home on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm.
In Virginia Katherine maintained very close contact with her many relatives and friends. She loved talking on the phone and was an avid letter writer. She remembered birthdays and other special events in the lives of family and friends.
She kept busy all the time and still made delicious meals and desserts and always lent a helping hand. Her health took a turn for the worse in August, 2010 which led to her being bed-ridden and unable to keep in contact with those she loved.
Katherine's devotion to her family is legendary. She was the family historian and the glue and pleasant balm that held it all together. Her mother often said that Katherine was her ROCK.
Sadly missed and always present in our hearts, she leaves to mourn her loss her daughters, Camille (Rickey), Deedy (Terrell), grandchildren, Paris (Jen), Briana (David), Jared (Rachel), Proteus (Rachel), Simeon Katherine (Alex); nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including Brandon, who helped so much with her care during her illness.
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my dad's first cousin Katherine Emma Newlin Thomas, age 82, who was more like an aunt and a dear friend to me than a first-cousin-once-removed. She passed away this afternoon (May 15th) around 2:30 p.m. (Daughter of Aubrey Raymond Newlin, Sr. and Agnes Letitia Carter Newlin).
Within a year or so of when I began "tracing my family tree" back in 1974 (at age 15) by corresponding with my grandmom Lethia, and after having pretty much tapped out all the family information known by her, she began providing me with addresses of other members of the family to whom I might write to ask for more. One of the people to whom she referred me was my grandfather's sister, Agnes Carter Newlin, who lived in Philadelphia. It wasn't long into my correspondence with great-aunt Agnes that her daughter Katherine (who also lived in Philadelphia, a few blocks away from her mom) found out we were corresponding and became curious about this mysterious John who was a son of the first cousin she'd known as "baby John" (my dad). Agnes eventually asked if I wouldn't mind writing to her daughter Katherine as well, and I said "Sure!" and thus a 37-year friendship was born.
I still have the first letter I got back from Katherine, dated 15 Jun 1976 (and all the other letters as well). I was 17 and had just graduated from high school. As I went off to college, having never spent a night away from home in my life, Katherine and I became dedicated pen-pals and her letters were always a source of comfort and hilarity for me. Always sharing jokes and bits of humor (some clean, some not-so-clean!), her way of looking at the world, and especially her way of observing and/or relating to family became a window through which I gained invaluable insight into the curious and complex world of my dad's extended family with all of its varying backgrounds. Without her, I'm sure it would have taken me a lot longer to grasp all of the significance and subtleties.
As the years passed, and especially after finally journeying to Philadelphia and getting to meet Katherine and her family in person in 1988, our communication evolved from letter-writing (which still continued) to telephone calls. It was nothing to be on the phone an hour or more with her, almost constantly laughing the whole time. And if I wasn't home when she called, back in the days of answering machines with full-sized cassette tapes, she would leave such long messages that I had to upgrade my 15-minute cassette tape to a 30-minute tape and finally to a 60-minute tape! And there were countless times that she still talked until the tape ran out, cutting her off with an abrupt BEEP! I've never had such interesting and funny messages on my answering machine!
I consider myself blessed to have been able to visit her on multiple occasions, not only at her & Ralph's home in South Philly, but also after they moved to Cape May, NJ, and Ralph's subsequent passing in 1995. Several years ago Katherine moved again, this time sharing a home with one of her daughters, in Fredericksburg, VA.
The last few years had been very sad for her, for she deeply missed not only her husband, but also her brothers and sisters whom she loved very dearly, all of whom had passed before her. Her illnesses of the past couple of years had taken a big toll on her, so it is a blessing that she is now at peace and able to be with her husband and siblings again.
I was with Katherine and Ralph the day they purchased their plots for the Immanuel Union cemetery in Cheswold, DE, whereas of this coming Saturday, May 21st, they will be side-by-side once again.
Katherine, you will be deeply missed.
With love,
Your cousin John
= = = = = = = = = =
Obituary from funeral program:
Katherine Emma Newlin Thomas, daughter of the late Aubrey Raymond Newlin, Sr. and Agnes Letitia Carter Newlin, was born August 3, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Childs Elementary School, Barratt Junior High and South Philadelphia High School for girls. Katherine was the fourth of 6 children, the olive skinned and dark eyed beauty of the litter.
Katherine was christened as an infant, the Godchild of the late Emma Morris Leman. She was always a worker and kept busy helping her mother with chores and errands, even as a young girl.
Katherine fibbed about her age and got a job working for the Campbell Soup Company located in Camden, NJ after school. She often talked about walking across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Center City Philly and into NJ and riding the "street car" home so late at night. Katherine also worked as a waitress at the Palestra, where she served the men of the Armed Forces during WWII. It was there that Katherine suffered an umbilical hernia from lifting the heavy trays. It was an injury that plagued her all of her life.
After graduating from high school, Katherine worked for the Bond Hosiery Company and at a spirits distillery in South Philly. From there she worked as a statistical typist, a job that required perfection and involved typing only numbers most of the day.
In 1952, Katherine met Ralph Carter Thomas, a man 15 years her senior and a friend of her mother's. Ironically, her mother had been a boarder in Ralph's parents' home when he was a boy. In 1953, Ralph and Katherine married. God blessed their union with two daughters; Camille and Duette (Deedy).
Katherine and Ralph resided with Ralph's father, the late Elijah DeSoto Thomas (Pop-Pop), who had recently became a widower. Pop-Pop was a baker and Katherine immediately enmeshed herself in the bakery he had already established. She worked indefatigably helping with the baking, the decorating and the day to day operations of the business. When Pop-Pop retired, Katherine and Ralph converted the bakery to a luncheonette. They became known all over for their wonderful hoagies, steaks and other foods. The success of this business led to the opening of Kathy's Pantry, a restaurant located on the now infamous South Street. News quickly spread about the great food at the Pantry and from that Katherine opened a catering arm to the business whose customers included affairs for the Masons, the Shriners and even a concession in Fairmount Park for The Riders of the Wissahickon, a prestigious riding club.
Through all of this work, Katherine ran a meticulous home. She also was an amazing seamstress and made all of her daughters' clothing until they left for college. She was also the beauty consultant for several young ladies in the neighborhood; arching eyebrows, applying makeup, etc. as needed for their proms and other special occasions.
Katherine closed the business in 1972 and began employment as an insuarance agent with a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Bulletin. She took great pride in being their top sales person on many occasions during her tenure. During this time of semi-retirement, Katherine continued to care for her family, assisting in the care of her mother, Agnes, for ten years prior to Agnes' death.
Desiring a more peaceful and tranquil environment, Katherine and Ralph moved to West Cape May, NJ where she found great pleasure gardening. She planted many speciality rose bushes in honor of family members. She enjoyed venturing to yard sales and spending time entertaining and talking to friends and neighbors.
In 2002, due to a decline in health and a desire to be closer to her children, Katherine moved to Fredericksburg, VA, where she lived with her daughter Deedy, son-in-law Terrell and their two children Proteus and Simeon until the Lord called her home on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm.
In Virginia Katherine maintained very close contact with her many relatives and friends. She loved talking on the phone and was an avid letter writer. She remembered birthdays and other special events in the lives of family and friends.
She kept busy all the time and still made delicious meals and desserts and always lent a helping hand. Her health took a turn for the worse in August, 2010 which led to her being bed-ridden and unable to keep in contact with those she loved.
Katherine's devotion to her family is legendary. She was the family historian and the glue and pleasant balm that held it all together. Her mother often said that Katherine was her ROCK.
Sadly missed and always present in our hearts, she leaves to mourn her loss her daughters, Camille (Rickey), Deedy (Terrell), grandchildren, Paris (Jen), Briana (David), Jared (Rachel), Proteus (Rachel), Simeon Katherine (Alex); nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including Brandon, who helped so much with her care during her illness.
Within a year or so of when I began "tracing my family tree" back in 1974 (at age 15) by corresponding with my grandmom Lethia, and after having pretty much tapped out all the family information known by her, she began providing me with addresses of other members of the family to whom I might write to ask for more. One of the people to whom she referred me was my grandfather's sister, Agnes Carter Newlin, who lived in Philadelphia. It wasn't long into my correspondence with great-aunt Agnes that her daughter Katherine (who also lived in Philadelphia, a few blocks away from her mom) found out we were corresponding and became curious about this mysterious John who was a son of the first cousin she'd known as "baby John" (my dad). Agnes eventually asked if I wouldn't mind writing to her daughter Katherine as well, and I said "Sure!" and thus a 37-year friendship was born.
I still have the first letter I got back from Katherine, dated 15 Jun 1976 (and all the other letters as well). I was 17 and had just graduated from high school. As I went off to college, having never spent a night away from home in my life, Katherine and I became dedicated pen-pals and her letters were always a source of comfort and hilarity for me. Always sharing jokes and bits of humor (some clean, some not-so-clean!), her way of looking at the world, and especially her way of observing and/or relating to family became a window through which I gained invaluable insight into the curious and complex world of my dad's extended family with all of its varying backgrounds. Without her, I'm sure it would have taken me a lot longer to grasp all of the significance and subtleties.
As the years passed, and especially after finally journeying to Philadelphia and getting to meet Katherine and her family in person in 1988, our communication evolved from letter-writing (which still continued) to telephone calls. It was nothing to be on the phone an hour or more with her, almost constantly laughing the whole time. And if I wasn't home when she called, back in the days of answering machines with full-sized cassette tapes, she would leave such long messages that I had to upgrade my 15-minute cassette tape to a 30-minute tape and finally to a 60-minute tape! And there were countless times that she still talked until the tape ran out, cutting her off with an abrupt BEEP! I've never had such interesting and funny messages on my answering machine!
I consider myself blessed to have been able to visit her on multiple occasions, not only at her & Ralph's home in South Philly, but also after they moved to Cape May, NJ, and Ralph's subsequent passing in 1995. Several years ago Katherine moved again, this time sharing a home with one of her daughters, in Fredericksburg, VA.
The last few years had been very sad for her, for she deeply missed not only her husband, but also her brothers and sisters whom she loved very dearly, all of whom had passed before her. Her illnesses of the past couple of years had taken a big toll on her, so it is a blessing that she is now at peace and able to be with her husband and siblings again.
I was with Katherine and Ralph the day they purchased their plots for the Immanuel Union cemetery in Cheswold, DE, whereas of this coming Saturday, May 21st, they will be side-by-side once again.
Katherine, you will be deeply missed.
With love,
Your cousin John
= = = = = = = = = =
Obituary from funeral program:
Katherine Emma Newlin Thomas, daughter of the late Aubrey Raymond Newlin, Sr. and Agnes Letitia Carter Newlin, was born August 3, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Childs Elementary School, Barratt Junior High and South Philadelphia High School for girls. Katherine was the fourth of 6 children, the olive skinned and dark eyed beauty of the litter.
Katherine was christened as an infant, the Godchild of the late Emma Morris Leman. She was always a worker and kept busy helping her mother with chores and errands, even as a young girl.
Katherine fibbed about her age and got a job working for the Campbell Soup Company located in Camden, NJ after school. She often talked about walking across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Center City Philly and into NJ and riding the "street car" home so late at night. Katherine also worked as a waitress at the Palestra, where she served the men of the Armed Forces during WWII. It was there that Katherine suffered an umbilical hernia from lifting the heavy trays. It was an injury that plagued her all of her life.
After graduating from high school, Katherine worked for the Bond Hosiery Company and at a spirits distillery in South Philly. From there she worked as a statistical typist, a job that required perfection and involved typing only numbers most of the day.
In 1952, Katherine met Ralph Carter Thomas, a man 15 years her senior and a friend of her mother's. Ironically, her mother had been a boarder in Ralph's parents' home when he was a boy. In 1953, Ralph and Katherine married. God blessed their union with two daughters; Camille and Duette (Deedy).
Katherine and Ralph resided with Ralph's father, the late Elijah DeSoto Thomas (Pop-Pop), who had recently became a widower. Pop-Pop was a baker and Katherine immediately enmeshed herself in the bakery he had already established. She worked indefatigably helping with the baking, the decorating and the day to day operations of the business. When Pop-Pop retired, Katherine and Ralph converted the bakery to a luncheonette. They became known all over for their wonderful hoagies, steaks and other foods. The success of this business led to the opening of Kathy's Pantry, a restaurant located on the now infamous South Street. News quickly spread about the great food at the Pantry and from that Katherine opened a catering arm to the business whose customers included affairs for the Masons, the Shriners and even a concession in Fairmount Park for The Riders of the Wissahickon, a prestigious riding club.
Through all of this work, Katherine ran a meticulous home. She also was an amazing seamstress and made all of her daughters' clothing until they left for college. She was also the beauty consultant for several young ladies in the neighborhood; arching eyebrows, applying makeup, etc. as needed for their proms and other special occasions.
Katherine closed the business in 1972 and began employment as an insuarance agent with a subsidiary of the Philadelphia Bulletin. She took great pride in being their top sales person on many occasions during her tenure. During this time of semi-retirement, Katherine continued to care for her family, assisting in the care of her mother, Agnes, for ten years prior to Agnes' death.
Desiring a more peaceful and tranquil environment, Katherine and Ralph moved to West Cape May, NJ where she found great pleasure gardening. She planted many speciality rose bushes in honor of family members. She enjoyed venturing to yard sales and spending time entertaining and talking to friends and neighbors.
In 2002, due to a decline in health and a desire to be closer to her children, Katherine moved to Fredericksburg, VA, where she lived with her daughter Deedy, son-in-law Terrell and their two children Proteus and Simeon until the Lord called her home on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm.
In Virginia Katherine maintained very close contact with her many relatives and friends. She loved talking on the phone and was an avid letter writer. She remembered birthdays and other special events in the lives of family and friends.
She kept busy all the time and still made delicious meals and desserts and always lent a helping hand. Her health took a turn for the worse in August, 2010 which led to her being bed-ridden and unable to keep in contact with those she loved.
Katherine's devotion to her family is legendary. She was the family historian and the glue and pleasant balm that held it all together. Her mother often said that Katherine was her ROCK.
Sadly missed and always present in our hearts, she leaves to mourn her loss her daughters, Camille (Rickey), Deedy (Terrell), grandchildren, Paris (Jen), Briana (David), Jared (Rachel), Proteus (Rachel), Simeon Katherine (Alex); nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including Brandon, who helped so much with her care during her illness.
