Obituary of Catherine Mary Botella

Kate passed peacefully at home in Oxford, Pennsylvania on Thursday, December 2, 2021 after several years of enduring the effects of Alzheimer’s and multiple strokes. She was born May 1, 1932 in Germantown, Philadelphia PA, to George and Catherine (Galvin) Emery. She married William (Bill) on November 5, 1955 at St. Francis Church in Germantown after meeting at The St. Francis Players Club and they went on to enjoy 66 years together. A graduate of Little Flower High School in Philadelphia, Kate originally had aspirations of becoming a nurse, but Bill and motherhood changed those plans. While raising 9 children in Drexel Hill, she somehow found time to occasionally bowl, make ceramics, play Bingo, sell Avon and enjoy a happy hour Southern Comfort Manhattan. After the kids were grown, she became an accomplished Enrolled Agent and Tax Preparer until her retirement 6 years ago. She and Bill later lived in Warrington, Pennsylvania before moving to Oxford. Kate is survived by her husband Bill, and children Cathy DiFrancesco (Tom), Ellen Cullen (Tom), Bill Jr. (Rose), Diane Carl, Lisa (Alan Lightfield), Steve, Jim and Christina Boylan. She is also survived by her brother Jack (Loretta – deceased). She is grandmother to 13, great-grandmother to 7, and aunt to several nieces and nephews. Kate was predeceased by her daughter, Loretta Botella Goldwein (Mike), a grandson, James Ryan (son of Bill and Rose) as well as 3 brothers and their wives: George Emery (Elizabeth), Joseph Emery (Joan), Edward Emery (Carol). She was also predeceased by her brother Charles Emery (Betty) and her sister Dorothy Kerson (Jack). Funeral arrangements were made with Plunkett Funeral Home. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing from 9:30AM – 11AM followed by a funeral Mass at 11AM, both of which will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 856 Euclid Avenue, Warrington, PA on Thursday, December 9, 2021. Interment will take place at St. John Neumann Cemetery, 3797 County Line Road, Chalfont, PA immediately following the Mass. The family would like to thank the dedication of the caregivers at Penn Medicine Hospice who assisted greatly in caring for and comforting Kate during her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a tribute donation in Kate’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association online at https://act.alz.org or send to 399 Market Street, #250, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or the American Diabetes Association online at https://www.diabetes.org or send to P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. The Mass will be live streamed on the Church Website at 11:00 A.M. saintrobertwarrington.org Go to Live Mass Broadcast.