Katherine Hida Tomei

May 29, 1936 – October 13, 2007

Katherine Hilda (Leach) Tomei, age 71, of Carriere, passed away

Saturday, October 13, 2007 at her home from complications from melanoma.

Visitation will be at Picayune Funeral Home from

6-9 PM Sunday, October 28th.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 29th

at Picayune Funeral Home Chapel,

with Rev. David Lowery officiating..

Katherine was born May 29, 1936, in Stockton on Tees, England to

George and Eleanor Leach. When she was 14 years old, she emigrated

with her parents to Watertown, Wisconsin. After attending the

University of Wisconsin, she received her nurse’s certification

from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

At the University, she met Joji Tomei, an Electrical Engineering student

and a member of the UW boxing team. After losing touch for several years,

a Christmas card put them together again and they were married in 1960

Their son, Joseph, was born in Wisconsin, while Joji finished coursework

for a second degree. The family moved to Maryland, where their

second son, Jon was born. Kathy was active in the PTA and the

First United Methodist Church in Clinton, MD.

The family moved to the Picayune area in 1976, where she was

an active member of the First United Methodist Church. She worked at the

Orthopedic Clinic for Dr. Thomas Purser for approximately 20 years

and enjoyed painting as a hobby.

She is survived by

her husband, Joji;

her son, Joseph and his wife, Miho;

her son, Jon and his wife, Tanya;

five granddaughters, Brittany, Kami,

Jonna, Tabatha and Lana; and

one great grandson, Carsen.

She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

your favorite charity in Memory of Katherine Tomei.