Katherine Grace "Katie" Dean

Katherine (Katie) Grace Dean, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont on September 1, 2025. Katie was born at home in Glover, Vermont on July 23, 1929. Katie was the daughter of Benjamin and Lillian Grace Thompson.
Katie graduated from Barton Academy in 1947 and started working in the office of a bobbin factory in Barton. That same year, she met her future husband, James C. Dean, and they moved to Roaring Brook Farm in Barton. The family moved to Massachusetts for twenty years before buying their farm on Russell Road in St. Albans, Vermont in 1970. She stayed on this farm until shortly before her passing.
Katie always had a love for horses, and this love stayed strong through her life. Katie was an experienced horsewoman and raised registered Morgans for 65 years. Katie also showed her horses all over the state and at the national level. Katie spent countless hours teaching children to care for and ride horses, inspiring many to carry on the tradition. Katie was an active 4-H group leader for many years and shared her knowledge and love of the sport. Katie's talent as a seamstress should not be forgotten whether she was making a prom dress or a saddleseat suit, her workmanship surpassed any custom tailor. Katie also was very talented in the home crafts including knitting, crocheting and making braided rugs. Katie was the first woman rural mail carrier in Norton, MA. She revisited this career as a rural mail carrier for the St. Albans Post Office for many years while also working on the dairy farm and her horse program. Katie will be remembered fondly for her caring spirit, passion for horses, and fierce determination and pride until the very end of her life. Katie's strength and strong work ethic dominated anything she did. Katie also enjoyed traveling to England and Arizona to meet her grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, James Dean, in January 2019, after 72 years of marriage and two of her sons, Frank and Jeffrey.
Katie is survived by her four children: James and his wife, Eleanor, Donna and her husband, Gary, Bill and his wife, Rita, Scott and his wife, Jori. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. In her heart, she possessed a deep love for her family.
Katie's family will receive family and friends on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans with a funeral service to follow at Noon with the Reverend Father Michael Ellis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the McClure-Miller Respite House, Attn: Development Office, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, Vermont 05446 or to a favorite Sanctuary Farm of one's choice.
Honored to be assisting the family of Katherine Dean, is Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.