Catherine Doris (Dietrich) Kinney, 90, born in Buffalo, NY on July 22, 1931, died November 21, 2021. Known by most as “Cathy” (or “Caty-Doris” by her pre-deceased husband of 61 years, Donald Leslie Kinney), was daughter of Arthur W. Dietrich, Sr. and wife Elizabeth Beatrice “Betty” Dietrich.
She is survived by two daughters Cynthia (Dana) Griffis of Winter Springs, FL and Deborah (Stuart) Groll of Charlotte, NC, son Dr. Robert (Martha) Kinney of Davenport, FL, four grandchildren: Jacqueline (Griffis, Mike)Ruizzo, Gregory Griffis, Jessica Kinney, Stephanie (Groll, Joshua) Claytor, two great-grandchildren Lillian and Cameron Ruizzo, brothers The Honorable Judge Donald P. Dietrich (Lynn), David C. Dietrich, sisters Donna (Gene) Stratton and Diane (John) Wicks, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
At a young age, Cathy moved to Norwich, NY with her family, where she grew up and eventually married her high school sweetheart, Don, on June 7th, 1952, at age 21, with “their” song being, “Too Young”. She was known by her classmates as “The life of the party!” with her quick wit and funny disposition. She first worked babysitting, then at Mrs. Ryan’s boarding house (mostly “peeling potatoes,” she would say!), and then enrolled in a business school where she learned secretarial skills, and later became the executive secretary for the Bainbridge branch of NBT Norwich. She and Don moved to Bainbridge, NY, in 1958, with their three children, where she was also involved volunteering with the alter guild at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and with the Girl Scouts. Due to medical issues, Cathy had to end her working career and moved to Orlando, FL with her family – a very difficult decision to make, but one that would prove to help prolong her life and well-being. There, Cathy volunteered frequently at Zion Lutheran Church with the alter guild, landscaping and clerical work. After their children were grown, Cathy and Don moved to a lovely mobile home park in Oviedo, FL, where she would enjoy feeding her birds and squirrels, and joined the “Palm Valley Streetwalkers” and “Red Hat Society,” making many wonderful friendships along the way. Eventually, Cathy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia, which seemed to exacerbate quickly upon Don’s passing in 2013, requiring her to move in with family, and then to various memory care facilities, where she lived until per passing in November. She will be remembered for her love of God and her Christian faith, family and friends, and for her endless humor and fun times she brought to brighten our lives.
An outdoor crematory memorial service is arranged for January 26th, 2022, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Cemetery at 2pm, 2101 Church St., Oviedo, FL 32765. All family and friends are welcome.