Catherine E. "Kitty" Sears, of Hartly, went to be with the Lord and was surrounded by her family on Sunday July 16, 2017. She was 86.

She was born August 8, 1930, the only child of Charles and Cleo Sullivan of Western Maryland. They moved to DE about 1933. Catherine always considered herself a Delawarean since she lived in New Castle and Kent Counties the rest of her long life.

She graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1949 and then worked at Bell Telephone Co. as a telephone operator until she married Charles Sears in November 1950. They had five children and lived in Woodland Heights, Wilmington for 18 years and later moved to the Hartly area in 1972.

Catherine was a member of Delmarva Flying Farmers for several years; a charter member of the Marydel Adult Center, and participated in the celebration of the 240th Anniversary of the Mason-Dixon Line in Marydel.

She learned to paint and glaze ceramics for 15 years, then learned decorative painting and later, crafted items. She sold some of her creations, but mostly gave them to family and friends.

About two years after her divorce, she was reacquainted with a family friend, Bill Krupka. Bill and Catherine became friends, then companions. She was happier than she had been for many years.

Soon after moving to the Smyrna area, she started the Manor Newsletter and passed out American Legion refrigerator cards to residents. She also started the "Dinner Out" for Manor seniors. She also loved flowers and plants in her yard, and she and her Chihuahua Cassie were often seen walking in the Manor.

She is survived by her five children, Charles R. Sears II; Cheryl S. (Lance) Fry; Craig S. (Diane) Sears; Cynthia S. (Paul) Rose; and Carolyn B. (Charles) Messina; 9 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday July 23 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where friends may call at 1:00 PM. Interment will be privately held.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Seasons Hospice, 253 Lewis Ln. Ste. 303, Havre De Grace, MD 21078.

To sign the online guestbook, please click on the tab above marked "sign guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.