She was from Bronx, New York. An only child. Her father was Michael Louie De Lello. Her uncle was Antonio De Lello. Both of New York. Her mother was Sarah Di Pinto. My father was from Louisiana. Served in the United States Navy. Served aboard the USS INTREPID. Mama said he was what they called a "yellow shirt," his job was to direct the jets on and off the carrier. Was stationed in New York where he met my mother. She told me all the time growing up that he slept outside on her doorstep until she said yes. Being ever the city girl, it took some adjusting to the country way of life. She told me that she asked her in-laws why they were getting their food out of the ground. She wasn't used to growing her own food.
Upon knowledge of this, it made me chuckle. But her favorite all time comfort food would turn out to be smothered potatoes and onions. She was full blooded Italian. Always said it like that. Very proud of her heritage. I ate a lot of pasta growing up. I also was raised on venison. All of my uncles were hunters and we were never in lack of supply of the meat. Deer is my favorite animal of all time. Not because I consumed it.
But because the beauty of the animal always had me mesmorized. So I guess you can call me an Italian/country girl.

For some reason, the heading above wont show the name family would call her so I'll just put it here.... my family in Louisiana always called her "Katie".
They would sometimes call her Cathy, but seldom ever did.
It was always "Katie." Just wanted to put that in there.
For extra money she cleaned houses and the Coldwell Banker and Zack Williams real estate offices in Longview when I was growing up in the 1980's. She also took in ironing and made that into a small business, she even had business cards and car magnets made up for advertisement. And even made up her own price list and delievery and pick up charges. That taught me the value of hard work. She was also a nurse for the elderly. Even went to beauty school before I was born.

There was not a day that went by that she did not tell me how much she loved me. There was not a day that went by that her and I did not laugh ourselves into oblivion until our sides hurt. There was not a day that went by that I did not try my hardest to make her laugh out loud. Whether it was in the grocery store, Walmart, it did not matter.
I loved hearing her laughter. She loved her music. We'd always listen to it together and I can remember how she'd always dance to it. Boy, could she dance. From the mashed potato, the dip, the twist, whatever dance there is, she had the moves down pat and executed the moves without fail.
She always told me growing up that she wanted to be a dancer. I'm convinced she's dancing all over God's kingdom right now.

And she loved her stories. (Soap Opera) She would tape them during the week and watch them on the weekends until she fell asleep with the remote in her hand. I'd always watch her sleep. She looked so peaceful.
She would always tell me she was proud of me. Didn't matter what I did or did not do. Her recognition was sustenance enough. Her love for me was sustenance enough.
Was the very nourishment I needed to get through hard times, life, etc.

I could go on and on about her, but those words would not be enough. Her nickname for me was "Punkin".

She was a longtime resident of Longview, Tx until her passing.

She was of the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Matthews Catholic Church in Longview, TX. Growing up, she was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Longview, TX. It was only after I was grown, that she transferred her membership to St. Matthews.

She is survived by three daughters, Catherine Michelle "Chelle" Edmonds Durbin Purdue of Louisiana, Melissa Ann Edmonds McFarland of League City, Texas, and Lorene Dee Edmonds of Longview, Texas.

THANK YOU ALL FOR LEAVING FLOWERS ON MY FAMILIES PAGES.

"She dreamed of a beautiful country,--a land, it seemed to her, of rest,--green shores, pleasant islands, and beautifully glittering water; and there, in a house which kind voices told her was a home." Uncle Tom's Cabin Pg. 229

CV STANFORD: "THE BLUEBIRD"
FAURE REQUIEM IN PARADISUM
LULLABYE (GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL) - THE KING'S SINGERS
THOMAS TALLIS - IF YE LOVE ME
Orlande de Lassus - Psalmi poenitentialis
Tomás Luis de Victoria - Magnum & Ascendens
Thomas Tallis - Spem In Alium
MUSIC FOR MAGNATES AND MONARCHS - THE SIXTEEN.wmv
Miserere Mei Deus Gregorian
Traditional Catholic Latin Mass of the Angels Musical Rapture - A Sacred Gift of Celestial Music.
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM




"When I look in your eyes, I shall hear an orchestra
with perfect harmony, and a million tomorrows shall
be looking back at me that cascade around me like the wind." Copyright. Dee Edmonds