Kathryn Witham

Milo - Kathryn Witham, 78, passed away on July 12, 2025, at Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Milo on May 2, 1947, Kathryn graduated from Milo High School, Class of 1965, and went on to earn an associate degree in Secretarial Science from Husson College in 1967.
She worked at the University of Maine in the Audio Visual Department until she married the love of her life, Carroll Winfield Witham, in 1970. She then became a stay-at-home mother before trying her hand at small business ownership and opening The Sewing Basket. Later, she found her calling as an Administrative Assistant to the principal at Brownville Elementary School, where she was affectionately known to students as "The Terminator." She touched the lives of three generations of children until her retirement in 2007.
Kathryn served on the Board of Selectmen, where she was the first woman to be re-elected. She was also a member of the Neoteric Club, the Garden Club, the Red Hat Society, and the Milo Historical Society where she shared her passion for local history by guiding countless elementary school tours through the museum and bringing Milo's past to life. She was a proud member of the American Legion Post 41 Auxiliary and deeply honored the service of her family members. Kathryn was also a founding member of the 1992 M.O.M.s Club, a support group for mothers of veterans.
In retirement, she and Carroll wintered in Zephyrhills, Florida, and spent summers at her beloved Schoodic Heights on the lake. As we all sit here writing this, we're overwhelmed with gratitude for the memories we have at camp thanks to her love for us and her love of that heaven on earth. We are truly the luckiest family on earth.
Many in the community knew Kathryn through her long-running column, Traditions of a Miloite, where she shared heartfelt stories about our family, the town we lived in, and a recipe with each week's edition. Milo residents looked forward to her writing, and she loved the chance to share her wealth of knowledge.
It's a great misfortune that it has taken her entire family to write this obituary and plan her service. Kathryn could have done it on the back of a napkin, half-asleep before breakfast, and done it a thousand times better. We will all have big shoes to fill for the rest of our lives. She loved to host a good happy hour and could do it with zero notice and on a shoestring budget.
She and her son-in-law, Bud, spent hours upon hours dreaming and planning their vision of opening a restaurant in Milo called "The Firehouse." The time spent exchanging menu ideas and décor details are immeasurable. Maybe one day, Buddy can make that dream a reality.
Kathryn was the proud grandmother and great-grandmother to a growing family who will carry her love with them always. She never missed a chance to tell them how proud she was, ending every conversation with "Love you, googolplex." Her faith was a foundation for her daily prayers, and she was the spiritual pillar of her family. A role that will continue through those she loved most.
Kathryn was predeceased by her parents, Charles Sr. and Eleanor Horne. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Carroll Witham; her brother, Charles Horne Jr.; her daughter, Carolyn (Witham) Dillon and beloved son-in-law, Bud "Buddy" Dillon, along with their children, Joshua, Brianne and her husband, Zachary Lane, and Brooklyn; her son, Thomas Witham; his wife, Leslie; and his children: Hayley Balistreri and husband, Bruce, and Morgan and fiancé, Cody Sylvester, from his first marriage to the late Hope Bowley; and Lydia and Lara Witham, from his marriage to Leslie; her great-grandchildren include Evelyn, Juliette, and Lucas Balistreri; Keaton Lane; and Marlee Sylvester.
We are fortunate to have shared our mother's heart with John and Lori Aceto and their son Jack; Rick and Tammy Sherburne; and "Ry Boy," Ryan Guzy and far too many friends to name.
A memorial service will be held 2PM Sunday, July 20, at the Park Street United Methodist Church, 15 Park St., Milo. After the service continued celebration of Kathryn's life will be held downstairs in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: New River Church, 4850 Allen Road, Box 92, Zephyrhills, FL 33541 Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.