Kathryn "Katie" Backe

Kathryn (Katie) Backe of Drexel Hill, loving and beloved mother, wife and avid supporter of her children’s schools and interests, died Saturday October 11th surrounded by her devoted loving family.

Katie was a graduate of Villa Maria Academy in 1989 and of La Salle University in 1993.

Katie brought vitality and love every place she went. Her kind and infectious spirit left everyone around her with a smile and feeling that she was their best friend. Through her positive spirit, her signature laugh, and love for life she was a lighthouse guiding people to happiness. Katie always said happiness is a choice, and she chose it every day regardless of what she was facing.

In passionate support of her children, Gigi, Charlie, and Joseph, Katie spearheaded and chaired countless fund-raising efforts for Sacred Heart Academy, St. Aloysius Academy and St. Joe’s Prep. She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support her children’s schools and activities. She could never say no when it came to helping the places that supported her kids and was always the first to raise her hand to volunteer. Katie’s generous spirit did not stop at her children’s schools, she also shared her talent and joy with the rowing community by serving as a Director of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, coordinating hospitality and sponsor experiences.

When not supporting a cause, you could find Katie in the kitchen usually dancing, while cooking gourmet meals with whatever might be in the refrigerator. The kitchen was the center of her home and the place where her family, friends, and neighbors knew they could go not just for a good meal but, for her love, conversation and wisdom

Her other favorite place was Sea Isle City. She spent summers waiting tables at Garrity’s in her college years. More recently she enjoyed riding her bike with Kevin through the surrounding towns. She loved listening to bands at The Springfield and Paddy’s Green with her parents. Katie could often be seen lounging on the deck or floating and playing in the lagoon with her family, friends, and beloved dogs, Reggie, Penny, and Max. Reggie would eagerly wait on the paddleboard for Katie to take him for a ride.

Katie will be deeply missed, never forgotten and always a part of the lives of her husband, Kevin, her three children, Gigi, Charlie, and Joseph, her parents, Michael and Donna Davis, her sisters, Mary Lee (Kenneth) and Sarah Tighe (Patrick) along with many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

 Friends are welcome to joyfully remember and celebrate Katie on Sunday, October 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at Overbrook Golf Club, 799 Godfrey Rd, Villanova, PA 19085. All are welcome to share stories or toasts; light fare will be served.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, October 20th at 10:30 AM in St Dorothy's Church, 4910 Township Line Rd, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. Interment will be private. All are welcome to join the family for a luncheon at Overbrook Golf Club immediately following.

 In lieu of flowers, a gift in Katie's name may be made to any of the three schools she supported, would be appreciated. 

Sacred Heart Academy, https://www.shabrynmawr.org/ 

St. Aloysius Academy, https://www.staloysiusacademy.org/

St Joes Prep, sjprep.org/tributes