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Mary Kathryn Kathy Stites

Mary Kathryn Kathy Stites obituary, Camarillo, CA

Mary Stites Obituary

Mary Kathryn 'Kathy" Stites, known to everyone as "Kathy", died Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, after a brief bout with an unexpected and aggressive cancer. Kathy passed away at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks with family members at her bedside. In addition to her family, she leaves behind a national circle of friends and admirers who valued her friendship and will miss her gracious nature and generous spirit.

Kathy was born Mary Kathryn Miller in Ridgecrest, California (China Lake) on March 6, 1952, to Carter and Betty Miller. She grew up in Concord, California and attended Carondelet High School and UC Davis, where she was an outstanding pianist. Kathy was also an accomplished painter and visual artist.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 28 years Fred Stites, their daughter Alanna Quan, 26, and their son Christopher Stites, 24. Chris is attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Alanna and her husband Cliff Quan are parents of Kathy's adored one-year-old grandson, Jett Carter, and are expecting a second child in May. Kathy is also survived by her ninety-year-old father Carter Miller and her beloved sister and brother, Bettina Graf and Paul Miller, all of whom live in the San Francisco Bay area.

Kathy was preceded in death by her cherished mother Bettina "Betty" Miller.

Kathy was well known for her many years with the UCLA Department of Fine Arts Productions. She met Fred at UCLA where he and his company, Concertech, provided technical services at Royce Hall. Fred and Kathy also worked for the University of Texas, in similar capacities, during the early 1990's. After returning from Austin, the couple settled in Camarillo, California where Kathy began a thirteen- year tenure at Saint John's Seminary. There she had been the Administrative Assistant to three President-Rectors and an essential and joyful presence to the entire community of St. John's. Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, on hearing of the death of Kathy Stites, offered a Mass that morning in Rome for her eternal rest.

Cardinal Mahony stated that, "Kathy was not only an extremely gifted administrator at St. John's Seminary; she also breathed and lived the spirit of Jesus Christ in the formation of the priesthood. She was always open, positive, and filled with the joy of God in her life. Her warm welcome always prompted me to stop by the rector's office soon after arriving at the Seminary. In fact, I often remarked that until I stopped by to see Kathy I had not really arrived at St. John's."

There will be a funeral Mass on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. It will be celebrated at Padre Serra Church, 2505 Upland Road, Camarillo, CA 93012, (805)987-6417. A reception will follow.

Arrangements under the direction of Griffin Family Funeral Chapels Camarillo (805)482-1166.


To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star from Nov. 23 to Nov. 26, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Stites

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Barb Ginochio-Rhoades

December 12, 2010

Dear Kathy
I just returned from your funeral. It was the most beautiful funeral I have ever attended. You would've loved that Mary Frances (Sister John Elizabeth) played the organ! the music was just so wonderful.. and, there were hundreds of people. You touched so many lives with your beautiful, caring spirit.... I will cherish the memories from fourth grade, through high school and all the way to becoming grandparents...(which was the highlight!) please look down on us our dear angel...until we meet again...love you....

DENISE MORALES

December 9, 2010

I was so excited to see Kathy @ our class reunion in August, and very distraught to hear of her passing. I remember seeing her smiling across the room & thinking how see hadn't changed @ all in the years that have passed since we first met in high school. She still had her beautiful friendly smile that greeted everyone. She was an angel on earth and she still is now in heaven looking down on us all. She will forever be in our hearts.

Chickie Ceccarelli

December 3, 2010

Kathy was one of the most beautiful girls, inside and out, at Carondelet. It was a joy to see her at our 40th High School reunion in August, and she hadn't changed a bit! She was excitedly planning her Dad's 90th birthday! A beautiful life cut way too short. My deepest condolences to the Miller-Stites family. Our Lord must have truly needed her bright spirit in heaven to take her from us so prematurely! God bless.

Anne Donnelly-Belt

December 1, 2010

Kathy Miller was a great first friend when I moved up from Los Angeles as a Freshman with my 7 brothers and sisters. We were close our Freshman and Sophomore years to UC Davis as we had occasional trips to her Music pursuits at UCLA(both my parents almamaters).She had a great smile, funloving spirit especially at the Carondelet convent in high school , and was the best pompom girl to hit Carondelet High School indeed . I almost feel that her life was shortened prematurely in the 6th inning of a 9 inning ballgame.It is unfortunate that we did stay not in more close contact the last 5-10 years. She is irreplaceable and I will never forget her our great times together!! Anne Donnely Belt

Colleen Driscoll Solomon

December 1, 2010

Kathy was a beautiful gift to our world. She graced our lives in high school at Carondelet in Concord, CA. She sparkled and twinkled through those years. She was kind to everyone making life look easy and always fun. I pray for God's tender mercies to soothe and comfort us all.

Colleen Driscoll Solomon
Carondelet High School 1970

Anne Donnelly-Belt

December 1, 2010

Kathy was a great first friend as a new Carondelet freshman moving up quite unexpectedly with my large Catholic family from the Westwood Area in Los Angeles some 40 years ago. We became fast friends as Freshman and Sophomores at Carondelet and followed each others lives to UC Davis and came down for a visit to UCLA occasionally where she was heavily involved in Music. She was a phenomenal pianist, great friend, with a wonderful smile and the best Pom Pom Girl to hit Carondelet HS. She is irreplaceable as we lost her too early in her life as it seems like in the 6th inning of a 9 inning baseball game. She will be sorely missed by all!!She was very proud of her new grandchild at our recent reunion. I wish we would have kept in more contact in our recent years. May God Bless Bettina, Fred and her children and her beloved Dad and brother, Paul.

JoAnna Grillo - Di Sibio

December 1, 2010

My memories of Kathy are from being her classmate at Carondelet High School. When I think of Kathy I think of her beautiful friendly smile and how she always had a gentle caring spirit. Our class was blessed this summer with our 40th reunion and having Kathy there with us that day has taken on an even more special meaning with her passing. There is no doubt in my mind that Kathy is enjoying all of the wonderful gifts of an eternity with Our Lord. May God Bless her family with that knowledge and carry them through until they will all be together again.

Roger Sanborn

November 30, 2010

I met Kathy and Fred 26 years ago. They are devoted parents. We first met when our daughters were 6 months old at mommy and me swimming classes then at gymberee, then at at at. Because of our kids and common interests a friendship was set. I lost track of Kathy and Fred for a few years and had just recently found them on a social networking site. My hart is heavy that I missed out having Kathy in my life for as long as I did and, also for Alanna, Criss and Fred. I am sure that my Tina was part of the group of friends and family that welcomed Kathy home.

Kathy Bockal

November 24, 2010

I met Kathy in art class and we spent many Tuesday nights painting and creating together. She was a sweet and kind person and I will miss her. She always had kind words for me and I hope I for her. Rest in peace, Kathy.

Jennifer Zahoryin Powell

November 24, 2010

Hugs, love, and prayers to Alanna and her family. I am so sorry to hear about your mom.

Tami Stine

November 23, 2010

My Dear Kathy,

You are amongst the heavens. No more pain or sorrow. You have become our angel to watch over us here on earth. I never got to Thank You for your wonderful smile, your warm hugs, and least not your kind words. So I thank you now. I will miss you greatly but you will always have a place in my heart. My prayers go to Fred and your family for peace and strength at this diffcult time. God Bless You All

Pat Lyons

November 23, 2010

I am surrounded by pictures of Kathy as I sit in my office at St. John's and I am beyond sad to know I'll never see her face or hear her voice again in this life. She was a beautiful soul and I was blessed to have had her in my life for 10 years.

Patty Brooke

November 23, 2010

Kathy & I became best friends in 5th grade and have been buds ever since. Her kind, sweet, generous spirit will be missed greatly. I love you Kathy.

LaDonna Harrison

November 23, 2010

Kathy has been my friend since I met her when I started teaching at St. John's. I love her gentle and joyous soul. I will miss her and her teasing terribly. Peace be with you, Kathy.

Bill Thompson

November 23, 2010

Kathy befriended me when I taught at St John's Seminary College. I always enjoyed seeing her and chatting with her. She was so very kind, modest, and intelligent. God bless you, Kathy, as you blessed me.

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