Kathleen Ann Degitz

Kathleen (Lavelle) Degitz was one of those people who put her talents and kindness to great use, making a positive impact on the world around her. She was a musician, artist, educator, decorator, entertainer, and preparer of meals not just for her family, but also for priests and sick friends. She succumbed to a brief illness at home on April 21, 2023, surrounded by family and with the beautiful promise of heaven in her future.

Born in Anderson, Indiana on July 23, 1948, Kathleen was the third of six children, and first girl, born to Kate and Paul Lavelle. She grew up in Edgewood and farther west of Anderson on Lone Oak Road where her parents built a home in 1955 that eventually she came to own. She met and fell in love with her future husband, Jerry Degitz, at St. Mary’s High School. Following in the footsteps of her two older brothers and fiancé, she attended Purdue University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was the first woman in the Lavelle family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Jerry and Kathleen married in June of 1969 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anderson and had their reception in a tent on her parents’ front lawn; the two have shared 53 years of marriage. Kathleen is survived by their three children and one grandchild: Kati Dewyer (Arthur), New River, AZ; Brent (Rebecca), Anderson, IN; and Regan (Krista, and grandson Ayden), Hamilton, OH. She was frequently a full-time mom and homemaker while Jerry pursued a busy career in pharmacy. Their children grew up in a cozy home next door to her parents.

Kathleen was best known as a classy lady, a gracious hostess, and a talented musician. She always looked like a million bucks when she left the house. She taught school off and on and was always pleasantly surprised when former students told her she was their favorite teacher. She used her talent for playing the piano frequently in service of St. Ambrose Catholic Church where she organized the music program and played the keyboard for Mass most Sundays, as well as for funerals and weddings. Using her talent for decorating, she not only found joy in beautifully decorating her home but also the Church on holidays.

Kathleen was very active in the Victoria Guild, a fundraising organization that operates the gift shop at St. Vincent’s Hospital Anderson where she volunteered her time. She was well-known for making beautiful wreaths for the Guild to sell and enjoyed participating in their Christmas Corner event annually. Her volunteer work for the Church and hospital meant a great deal to her and reminds us of the impact industrious people who choose to serve their community can have on the world.

Everyone who knew Kathleen appreciated her love of decorating and entertaining. (We expect the people at Hobby Lobby have missed their revenue targets since she wasn’t feeling good enough to have her usual fun there.) She enjoyed making her home festive and cheerful and was a gracious hostess, entertaining like no one else does these days. She was a good cook and baker and treated her family to lovely meals on a regular basis. When at home, Kathleen enjoyed playing the piano and painting pictures, murals… and walls. Her family was amazed by how often she painted rooms a new color without batting an eyelash (while the rest of us paint once every 10 years or so).

In addition to her three children, Kathleen is survived by her husband, Jerry Degitz, and three siblings: Michael Lavelle (Marilyn), Indianapolis, IN; Paul Lavelle, Anderson, IN; and Megan Lavelle Trainor, Fishers, IN. Her siblings Philip Lavelle Sr. (Peggy) and Nancy Lavelle preceded her in death. Kathleen had a loving relationship with her many nieces and nephews on both sides of her family. One described coming to her home as a child as “magical.” Friends, family, and former pupils alike have shared words of the positive impact she had on their lives, whether it was offering sincere encouragement, making her home a special place to visit, or simply cooking a tasty meal for them.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Thomas Metzger for Kathleen on Wed., April 26 at 11:00 am at St. Ambrose Catholic Church at 2801 Lincoln Street in Anderson. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 25 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 pm at Brown Butz & Diedring Funeral Home at 515 East 53^rd Street in Anderson. Memorial donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory  to St. Ambrose Catholic Church or Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Kathleen’s family would like to thank the many people who sent heartfelt cards and letters throughout her illness, and Compassus Hospice for their kind care.