Kathryn Ann Kleitz's Obituary
Ms. Kathryn Ann Kleitz was born on May 22, 1973, to John G. Kleitz Jr. and Sharyn L. Kleitz in Wilmington, Delaware. Kathryn was 50 years old and resided in McDonough, Georgia and passed unexpectedly on January 3, 2024, peacefully in her bed. Her loss is completely unexpected, and her family, friends, and work family are shocked and deeply saddened.
Kathy attended Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, Delaware and later went on to obtain her Nursing Degree from Delaware Tech in Georgetown, Delaware. After graduating Kathy went on to work at Beebe Hospital and later at Harbor Healthcare Nursing Home. While working with the families at the nursing home, this really brought something out of her, which led to her profound calling and passion. She followed that passion and then worked as an admissions Nurse for Delaware Hospice and began doing what she was meant too. Kathryn would go above and beyond for any of her patients and their loved ones in such a difficult period.
Being a hospice nurse truly requires a depth of emotional support, compassion, understanding, empathy and much more. For anyone out there who knows a Kleitz, those are not too many traits we are born with. Anyone who knew Kathy knew that she was kind, loving, (unless you messed with one her people, especially her son) caring and could smile with the best. She'd move heaven and earth for her son, John J. Kleitz (JJ) and her animals more than anything. She had an immense passion for Hospice, her staff, the patients and families. Kathy was always willing to lend a helping hand if a friend or family needed anything.
Kathryn moved from Delaware to McDonough, Georgia in 2005. Upon arriving to Georgia she started at Gentiva hospice for a bit before finding her true second home and some could argue maybe even her first. Sacred Journey Hospice meant so much to Kathy Kleitz. She worked at Sacred Journey for almost 18 years. She worked in the inpatient unit and then admissions, part time just to be around, and about 6 years ago she was elevated to a Director position. She would go to bat and fight for her “team” aka “girls” aka “nurses”. That’s why people loved Kathy so much because she was so passionate about not just her job, but her people, patients, coworkers and above all else, the families of the patients. Being around death all the time as a hospice worker sometimes wasn’t easy due to witnessing different experiences and happenings at the end of life over the years. Kathy believed this brought her tremendous solace and almost a sense of calm that our earthly form is not the end of our time, but we do get to join our loved ones again. We do get to carry on spiritually and watch over and keep an eye on our loved ones.
Kathy was easily fooled, pranked, scared and gullible. To the point it was almost too easy at times, but you knew a good laugh was always ready to follow. She did not always make the best decisions but was always ready to lay it on the line for her best friend Lesha Tarpley and other friends and co-workers. She had a heart of gold and wore her heart on her sleeve.
She was preceded in death by her parents: John G. Kleitz Jr. and Sharyn L. Kleitz; and grandparents: John G. Kleitz Sr. and Lois Kleitz. She leaves precious memories for her son, John J. Kleitz; 5 fur babies; 3 pit bulls: Zoey, Jazmine and Jack; and 2 cats: Harley and Buster; aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services were held in McDonough, Georgia on Friday January 12, 2024.
A viewing will also be held on Thursday January 18, 2024 from 11 AM to 11 :45 AM at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. A graveside committal will be held at 12 noon at the Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Savannah Road, Lewes, DE.
Florist Note. Please Deliver floral tributes to the Lewes Funeral Home by 4 PM on Wed. January 17, 2024.
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