Kathryn "Kathy" Von Drehle

On the morning of November 15th, 2017, Kathy Von Drehle died peacefully in her sleep in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 68. Kathryn Maureen Howard was born on August 30, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio. She was the youngest of three daughters born to John William Howard and Kathryn Ardel Rethmel Howard. Kathy graduated from Roy C. Start High School in Toledo, Ohio in 1967. After high school, she attended the University of Toledo, where she pursued a degree in education and was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority. Kathy originally wanted to be a teacher but was offered a job at Blueline Fuel Company, where she discovered her passion for sales. She married her high school sweetheart, Edward “Butch” Cassidy on October 18, 1969, when she was 21 years old. Kathy and Butch first met when they were ten years old, and even though she may have dated other boys while in college, Butch was always on the scene. Kathy remembered Butch for his kind heart and sense of humor. She recalled him losing his wedding ring on the very first night of their marriage while on their honeymoon. Kathy and Butch had two children, Megan and Cameron. Kathy went to work for Kaiser Aluminum when Megan was only three months old. She worked as a senior executive in sales for 20 years. Due to her demanding job, the family was transferred many times, from Toledo, Ohio to Sylvania, Ohio to Oakland, California and finally to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kathy loved to work and very much enjoyed her time at Kaiser and the friends she made there. Kathy married Richard William Von Drehle on September 29, 1986, in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Kathy and Rick had one child, Ben. After Ben was born, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio, and eventually to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Kathy lived until the day she passed. Kathy always said that her greatest accomplishment in life was her three children and her grandchildren. She was a devoted member of Kirk of the Hills Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma for over 20 years. Kathy enjoyed her involvement in Bible studies at the church. She was also extremely active in volunteering at Holland Hall School for her son Ben, and her grandson Jace. Kathy and her sisters were very close growing up. They always had many stories to share. Kathy and her older sister Cheryl cherished the memories they made during their trips to California and Florida together. When Kathy was in need of a kidney, it was her oldest sister Judy who graciously volunteered her own kidney to Kathy. It defied the odds and lasted over twenty-one years. She was given the nickname “Classy Kathy” by her friends for her beauty, elegance, and sense of style in clothing and interior design. Kathy always had a fresh manicure, even on the day she passed. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Kathryn Howard, and her sister, Judy Howard Koopmans. Kathy is survived by her three children, Megan (Rex) Wilkinson and Cameron Cassidy, and their father, Edward Cassidy of Philadelphia, PA and Ben (Hayden) Von Drehle of Denver, CO and his father, Richard Von Drehle of Tulsa, OK. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Paige Wilkinson of Philadelphia, PA, and Jace McIntosh of Tulsa, OK, and Carter and Cole Cassidy of Bella Vista, AR, and her sister, Cheryl DesForges, of Traverse City, MI. Kathy’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Montereau, Fresenius Kidney Care, and St. John Hospital for the outstanding care, love and comfort they provided to Kathy. The family would also like to thank all of Kathy’s friends who devoted their time and love in caring for her until her last moments on this earth. All of you were such a blessing to her and our family; we could not imagine Kathy’s life without you. A celebration of Kathy’s beautiful life will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017, at 10:00 am at Kirk of the Hills Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kathy’s name to the charity of your choice.

Kathryn "Kathy" Von Drehle

August 30, 1949 - November 15, 2017