Ann Dauphine Deis

Ann Dauphine "Kathy" Deis, a beacon of laughter and love, left our world to sprinkle her joy in the heavens on June 23, 2025. Born on a chilly winter day in 1952, in Chicago, Kathy was destined to warm the hearts of everyone she met. She embarked on her final journey from Corpus Christi, Texas, after a brave two-year battle with systemic lupus erythematosus, leaving behind a legacy of giggles and good times.
Kathy, or "Kat" to her inner circle, was the kind of person who could light up a room just by walking in. Six feet of fun, with blond hair, hazel-green eyes, and a smile that could indeed stop a clock, she was often lovingly referred to by hospital staff as a "Swedish Barbie." This radiant beauty was not just a pretty face; she was the glue that held her family and the extended nuclear family together with her unwavering spirit and infectious enthusiasm.
Her husband of 49 years, Donald Deis, was her partner in both life and laughter. They met on a blind date and married two years later. Together, they raised their son Scott Richard Deis, with the help of his wife Elizabeth, and adored their grandson Blake and his girlfriend Ava, as well as their step-grandchildren Kameron and Kaitlin Gray. Kathy's love extended to her siblings Michael, Kelly, Kristine, her niece Jenny, and nephews Paul, Tyler, Mark, and Matthew. She also cherished the companionship of her sister-in-law Patti Sue and the entire Malone/Mohan/Loper clan, including Steve (Lin), Mandy (Brad), Michael (Hayden), Mitchell (Lila), Pat (Ann), and Judy (Dan), and all of their children not to mention the memories of those who preceded her, including her parents, her favorite cousin/sister Anne, Patty Jean, aunts Dauphine and Mary Lou, brother in-law Scott, and her beloved Siamese cat, Popcorn.
Kathy was a healthcare heroine, dedicating fifty years to nursing. She began her career at Herrman Hospital in Houston, shaping minds and healing hearts. A lifelong learner, she earned her stripes in nursing from Del Mar College before clinching both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. After thirty years of nurturing future nurses at Loyola University (New Orleans) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, she retired in 2021 but continued to serve at Mother Teresa Shelter, showcasing that her heart was as big as her humor.
Her Christian Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her through the good times and the tough. Kathy's interests were as varied as her jokes. She loved nothing more than a good game of golf, a challenging hike, or a lucky streak at the casino. Sunsets, purple martins, Broadway musicals, concerts, and the thrill of a football game, whether it be Notre Dame, LSU, Texas A&M, Houston Texans, or New Orleans Saints, filled her with excitement. As a founding charter member of the Bengal Belles, she was known for putting Coach Nick Saban on the spot with her piercing game-day questions. Together with her Ya-Ya sisterhood partners-in-crime, Sherrie and Carol, they turned people's heads in Baton Rouge with their signature polka dot skirts.
Kathy lived by the words of the great Robin Williams, who once said, "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." She certainly never lost hers, spreading that spark wherever she went, and leaving us all a bit more radiant in her wake. Kathy's life was a masterclass in mirth, and though she may have taken her final bow, the echoes of her laughter will resonate forever in the hearts of those who loved her.
The family expresses their appreciation to the Crosson family and the kind folks at Angel Bright Hospice who cared for her as she prepared to pass: Rosie, Claudia, Kaley, Michelle, Bryan, and many others. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Kathy Ann and Donald Deis Endowed Scholarship in Athletics at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Office of Institutional Advancement or to Mother Teresa Shelter. The scholarship supports student-athletes majoring in Nursing.
A celebration of life is scheduled on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church located at 3513 Cimarron Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas. The Rosary starts at 9:30 am, and Mass celebrated by Father Paul Hesse starts at 10:00 am followed by a reception in the parish hall.
Kathy competed well, she finished the race, and she kept the faith as she wishes everyone to do.