Kathryn A Bruch

On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Kathryn Anne Bruch (Himler), 84 years old, peacefully passed away at INOVA Fairfax Hospital after recently entering into hospice care. Kathy was born on July 30, 1938 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and was one of three daughters of the late Walter C. and Anna M. (Kahler) Himler.

Kathy attended Nazareth Area High School and studied cosmetology. At age 10, she met her future husband, Howard; the school mates became soul mates, and they were married when Kathy was 18. The high school sweethearts were inseparable, and they began adding to their family the same year. Howard and Kathy lived in Pennsylvania until 1957, when they moved to Virginia due to the military.

After Howard completed his service, the family moved to Shirlington, Virginia, until finally settling down in Falls Church, Virginia, in 1964, where Kathy quickly became an integral part of her new community. She was a licensed beautician in Virginia for more than 50 years, running her own home beauty salon that her husband built, which became an informal gathering place for the neighborhood. Additionally, Kathy volunteered her styling services to families of the deceased; she always stated how great of an honor it was to prepare them for their final resting place. Kathy was a devout Catholic and belonged to St Philip Catholic Church; she often had members of the parish over for mass and socially.

Kathy had many interests and hobbies. In their younger years, Howard and Kathy loved riding their motorcycle, and Kathy even had a sidecar for her daughter and her most loved dachshund to come along. The two cherished taking their boat out on the Chesapeake and fishing for rockfish. When Howard would return from his annual Thanksgiving hunting trip in Bath County, Virginia, Kathy would make barbeque venison from the fruits of his labor. As their family continued to expand, Kathy’s younger, adventurous spirit became more family-focused. She loved to host family gatherings at her house and even had friends dress up as Santa and Mrs Claus for the kids during Christmas parties. She hosted superb Easter gatherings with grand egg hunts for the grandchildren. Kathy was always ready to celebrate birthdays, and she was notorious for sending greeting cards out well in advance. She loved to crochet, make canned pickles and Shoofly pies, and simply be surrounded by family.

Kathy is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Howard Henry Bruch Jr. of Falls Church, Virginia, their three children, Charles Bruch and wife Susan of Pryor, Oklahoma, Donald Bruch and wife Karen of Warrenton, Virginia, and Melody Bruch and husband Ray Shade of Martinsburg, West Virginia, sister Alice Himler Beers of Carlise, Pennsylvania, 13 grandchildren, Rachel, Leah, Lindsey, Daniel, Gregory, Kathryn, Philip, Clayton, Steven, Stephanie, Bryce, Brylee and April, and 13 great-grandchildren. Kathy was predeceased by sister Marion Houck in 2016, grandson Jason Bruch in 1988, and niece Nancy Louise (Houck) Hertzler in 2017.

A Viewing will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at National Funeral Home & Memorial Park (7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042). The Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 from 11am at St. Philip Catholic Church (7500 St Phillips Ct, Falls Church, VA 22042). The Burial will follow the termination of the service at National Funeral Home & Memorial Park. Following the Burial, all are welcome to meet at 3:00PM at Anthony’s Restaurant (3000 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042) for a Celebration of Life among family and friends.

Flowers may be sent to the National Funeral Home & Memorial Park. The family requests pink carnations and pink roses, as these were her favorite.