Mary Kathleen (Kathie) Birchler née Piller, 72, passed away peacefully in Mesa, Arizona with her family by her side after a long illness. Wife, mom, grammie, sister, and friend, she will be missed dearly by her husband John, her children Juli (Ed), Wendi (Patrice), James (Debora), her grandchildren Kris, Madeleine, Gilbert & Jesse, her sisters Linda & Sandy, the entire Piller and Birchler extended families, her many friends and devoted caregivers. Married for 53 years, Kathie was a stay at home mom until she decided to continue her passion of helping and giving to others through her work at Manpower, Weight Watchers (lifetime member, leader & coach) and the Home Depot. She loved people, giving back to her community, and promoting inclusion & peace. She was known for her love of crafting, her dinner parties, her generous heart, and her beautiful smile. She “adopted” many and always reminded us that friends are the family that we choose. Her spirit and gift of giving will live on in all those she touched. She will be laid to rest with her son, Billy, in a private service at the Mount Hope Cemetery in West Valley, New York. The family wishes to extend special thanks and gratitude to the Mariposa Point of Mesa, the Hospice of the Valley and the Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that you make a donation to your favorite charity or to the American Cancer Society in Kathie’s name.