Catherine P. Runge

Catherine Marie Parker O'Gara Runge "Kitty" passed away December 31st, 2013 at the home of her daughter, Cathy Walsh and son-in-law, Tom Walsh in Virginia Beach, VA. Born in Baltimore, MD to Thaddeus Cornelius Parker JR(deceased) and Catherine Ross Parker(deceased) on August 2, 1931, the family eventually moved to Tampa, Florida. Kitty married a Tampa native, Capt Patrick Eugene O'Gara, USN (deceased) on June 2, 1951 in Annapolis, MD and started a career as a Navy wife and soon after a mother. She is survived by her children Patrick Michael O'Gara,
Walter Casey O'Gara, Cathleen Camille O'Gara Walsh and Timothy Sean O'Gara. Her grandchildren Chris, Moses, Kelly, Katie, Brianna, Derek, Ryan, and Kailee O'Gara as well as Erin and Sean Walsh and great grandchildren.

Kitty enjoyed many years as a navy wife, earning pins through her volunteer work with the Navy Relief Society. As the CO's wife she helped many young families thru the struggles and losses of the Vietnam War. She went on to start a career with Pepsi Cola Tampa as a director in Sarasota, Fl and then married Capt William Howard Runge, USNR(deceased), September 10, 1983. Kitty and Bill enjoyed a few years prior to a devastating stroke in 1990. She survived this with the will and determination to continue, which she did with the loving care of her husband, Bill, her daughter, Cathy and her family, her children and many friends and caregivers for over 23 years. Kitty brought out the best in all who had the chance to know her, she brought a smile to each face she met. As is said, " to know her is to love her" and we all do.

A Christian Wake service will be held in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Rd Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday January 11, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 12:00 noon in All Souls Catholic Church in Sanford, FL, with interment to follow in All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Sanford. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.