Kathleen Diehl Thomas

Loving wife, mother, sister, Babi, dog mom, teacher, author, multi-sport kids coach, swim team rep, gardener, tennis lover, world traveler, volunteer, and true friend; Kathleen (Kathy) Diehl Thomas left this world on July 19, 2025 after a long battle with brain cancer.

Kathy is survived by her husband of almost 54 years, Kenneth Thomas; daughter Sarah Thomas Foote and her husband Bill; daughter Maria Thomas Oven and her husband Chris; son Andrew Thomas and his wife Cami; daughter Emily Thomas Temme and her husband Sebastian; son Ted Thomas, and daughter Carrie Thomas; as well as her sisters Lin Simon and Kori Diehl.

In addition, she is survived by her 8 grandchildren: Connor, Thomas, Logan, Will, Noah, Charlie, Claire, and James; and her pups, Babe and Ace.

Kathleen (Kathy) Thelma Diehl was born on January 23, 1947 in Washington, D.C. to parents Commander, USN CE (Ret) Charles and Florence Mary Diehl (nee Griffin). As a Navy family, they traveled the country, adding sisters Linda (Lin) and Florence Anne (Kori) to the family in subsequent years. The family eventually settled in the Washington, DC area. Kathy attended Duquesne University and then graduated from The College of William and Mary where she studied to be an elementary school teacher earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She later finished her Masters of Education at George Mason University.

Kathy was happily married to Ken for over half a century. They met in Williamsburg where she began her teaching career after college and where he was stationed in the Army. They married in 1971 when he returned from his combat tour in Vietnam.

Kathy spent much of her life dedicated to raising babies (6 in the course of 16 years), driving carpools, coaching multiple youth sports teams, leadership positions in St. James PTA, and volunteering for church, school, and extracurricular events. She was the classic “never stay at home Mom.” She was always on “Kathy time” which everyone understood to be at least 20 minutes late.

When her youngest children were old enough to go to school, Kathy pursued a Master of Education Degree (in curriculum development and instruction) from George Mason University while working full time at the Falls Church Episcopal Day School. She worked there for over thirty years as a teacher, assistant director, and finally, as the director (principal). Her job and the success of this school became one of her greatest joys and sources of professional pride. Under Kathy’s direction, it was truly a teaching Christian school, not a day care facility. She simply loved working with the children and the teachers every day. One of her former teachers said recently: “…she was the best mentor ever. I would never have survived without Kathy. None of us would. We still laugh when we remember Kathy coming down the hall in the morning saying, ‘stay low under the radar today, ladies.’ She is one of the best people I’ve ever known.” Another professional education friend recently said, “…she was clearly a strong woman in this world.” Another professional colleague said “…I just love and admire her. She’s the kind of woman I always wanted to be when I grew up.” Another friend said of her long suffering ordeal with brain cancer, “…this is just so not fair.”

Kathy became Babi in 2004. She loved being Babi (instead of Grandma) and took much delight in each and every one of her grandchildren, spoiling them at Christmas, supporting them at their sport games and school performances, and going on travel adventures with them to make memories that they will cherish forever.

Kathy and Ken were able to travel the world and especially loved visiting new places with treasured friends including Brazil, Caribbean, Alaska, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Spain, Italy; and the Great Canyon Parks of the Western USA.

But perhaps Kathy’s favorite thing in life was to be at home on her back porch, surrounded by family, friends, and dogs, enjoying a meal, a drink, and good conversation. Kathy, Mom, Babi, leaves a big hole in many hearts. Please remember her fondly, speak of her often, find her in places you hold dear. And know that she loved you, too.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathy’s honor to the scholarship program at the Falls Church Episcopal Day School.

115 E Fairfax St, Falls Church, VA 22046.

A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, August 1st at 1PM at St. James Catholic Church, in Falls Church, VA.