Catherine Grabis Burch's Obituary
Catherine “Kitty” Grabis Burch passed away comfortably at Sagepoint Rehab Center of La Plata, MD on December 13, 2023, among family and friends at the age of 101 years old.
She grew up in Bryantown, Maryland the daughter of John P. Grabis and Barbara Therres Grabis. She moved to Indian Head in the 1940’s where she eventually married Aubrey D. Burch on January 14, 1950, at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church. They lived many happy years together until his passing in 1996. Kitty is survived by her two children Denny Burch and Connie Smallwood, two grandchildren Mandy Smallwood (Dan LaVecchia) and Wade Smallwood, and two great-grandchildren Olivia and Daniel LaVecchia.
Kitty was the last survivor of her large family numbering 13 who all predeceased her. sisters Mary Alice Bradley, Theresa Abell, Martha Hodoba, Louise Eckloff, Hilda Baker, Helena Kragh, Rose Raley, Ellen Anderson, and brothers Raymond, Jerome, Ralph and Charles ”Buddy” Grabis.
Kitty began her Navy employment in July 1942, as a supply clerk at the Naval Powder Factory. In 1973 she joined the Naval Ordnance Laboratory and the Naval Surface Weapons Center, where she was Deputy Division Secretary of the Energetic Materials Division. She retired in 1987 after 27 years of service.
Through the years of the 1950’s and 1960’s Kitty was an avid bowler, playing in women’s and mixed leagues at the Indian Head Bowling Alley. She enjoyed playing the slot machines, dancing, bingo, her flower gardens and getting together with all her family. In later years, playing and watching golf tournaments on TV were her favorite activities. Jack Nicklaus was her hero, until Phil Mickelson came along.
She loved her family, was a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Church since the early 1940’s. A special thank you to all her caretakers at Sagepoint, who surrounded her with love in her final hours.
Funeral Mass St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church, on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11 AM. Internment Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, Maryland.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 30 Mattingly Avenue, Indian Head MD 20640 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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