Kathlyn J. Ortwein

Kathlyn James Ortwein ("Katie"), formerly of Arlington and South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Katie will be remembered for her kind, magnetic spirit and infectious energy. Her children lovingly say, "to know her is to love her." She had a gift for lifting the spirits of those around her. If she saw someone feeling down, she was the first to crack a joke and bring a smile to their face. She had the best sense of humor and was extremely funny. Katie had a big heart for others. She was always ready to listen, to help and to give without expecting anything in return. She had a special way of making people feel seen and cared for, especially children who needed a little extra love.
Katie will be missed always and will be fondly remembered on the Pineland Park beach in Brewster, Massachusetts where she spent many joyful summers growing up with her cousins and cherishing time with her family year after year. That beach was her happy place and her favorite place to be, both as a child and then later with her own children.
Katie grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts, where she made lifelong friendships and memories and went on to attend Plymouth State College, earning a degree in Education. After graduating in 1994, she was a teacher's assistant at Dallin elementary school in Arlington and then worked with Early Childhood services in East Boston. Katie later pursued her passion for beauty and graduated from Blaine Hair School and became a beloved hairstylist at Dellaria Salon on Cape Cod.
Katie's greatest joy was being a mom and was lovingly referred to as "Mum." She devoted herself to her cherished children, Aubrey Rose Fleming and Thomas Edward "Teddy" Fleming. She lived each and every day for them and was filled with pride for their many accomplishments. Katie is survived by her children, Aubrey and Teddy; her devoted sister, Kristin Caruso and husband Mike of Peabody, Massachusetts; her brother Michael Ortwein and his wife Jennifer of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and her father, Bernie Ortwein, and his wife Karen Semmelman of St. Augustine, Florida and Franklin, North Carolina. Katie was predeceased by her beloved mother, Nanci (Leverone) Ortwein. Katie also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins as well as her treasured nieces and nephews, Camryn MacDonald and her husband Tim, Jake and Luke Caruso, and Jack, Peter, Charlie and Tommy Ortwein, all of whom adored their "Auntie Katie." Katie will be missed dearly by her family, friends (best friends Noreen and Dorian) and all who knew her.
Visitation at DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington on August 4, 2025 from 4:00-7:00pm. A funeral mass will be held on August 5, 2025 at 11:30 am at St. Agnes Church, 51 Medford St. Arlington, immediately followed by burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Medford St. Arlington. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation via gofundme Honoring Katie Ortwein: A Fund for Aubrey and Teddy's Future https://gofund.me/fddca198. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kathlyn, please visit our Tree Store.