OCEAN CITY — Kathleen “Kathy” Arlee Petry Mathias, age 58, died Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Hanover, Pa., she was the daughter of Edward O. Petry and the late Anita Roberts Petry.
She is survived by her husband, James N. Mathias, Jr.; her daughter Lauren Ann Mathias; and her son Trevor James Mathias. She leaves a sister, Carol Spring and her husband Robert of Westminster, Md.; a niece, Jennifer Scott Wing and her husband Eric; and a nephew, Christopher Scott and his wife Stephanie. She also leaves brother-in-law, Jeffrey Mathias and his wife Tamara, nephew James and niece Mary Clare; sister-in-law, Holly Mathias Donovan and husband Dan; and mother-in-law, Dolores Mathias. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, James N. Mathias, Sr. in 1974.
Kathy was a graduate of North Carroll High School Class of 1971, Catonsville Community College, and Salisbury State University magna cum laude in 1998. She had worked for Wor-Wic Tech as Assistant to the President and Dean. In 1983, she began her employment with the Town of Ocean City as assistant to the City Manager, from 1985 to 1990 she served as executive assistant to the Mayor, and in 2010 she proudly became the City Clerk.
During her time with the Town of Ocean City, Kathy developed Ocean City University, a civic education program, and was instrumental in working to achieve Ocean City’s All-America City award in 2001. Kathy was an active member of St. Mary’s-Star-of the Sea/ Holy Savior Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic minister. She was President of the Worcester County Chapter of the American Cancer Society in 1989 and 1996, Co-Chair of the American Cancer Society Pink Ribbon, and First Lady of Ocean City from 1996 to 2006. Kathy was very involved in the Boy Scouts of America, and founded Cub Scout Pack #267 at Worcester Preparatory School and was a Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts of America.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at Holy Savior Catholic Church, 17th and Philadelphia Ave. in Ocean City, at 11 a.m., Rev. Stanislao Esposito will officiate.
Friends may also call on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Holy Savior Catholic Church.
A donation in her memory may be made to: Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, Md. 21803 or Delmarva Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 100 West 10th St Suite 915, Wilmington, Del. 19801
Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.