Katherine Brady Casey

Mary Katherine Brady Casey, a woman of extraordinary vitality and an exuberant loving spirit, was born in Houston, Texas on November 29, 1930. Although she moved with her family to New Orleans at the age of 17, she remained a lifelong Texan at heart and was not shy about proclaiming her Texas pride. In Houston she attended St. Agnes Academy where she was instilled with a lasting appreciation and knowledge of literature and poetry and was a proud graduate of the class of the 49ers. In New Orleans she graduated from Loyola University where she was chosen Campus Queen and was a member of Cardinal Key. At Loyola she met the love of her life, Thomas Casey. They married shortly after graduation and had 65 happy and fulfilling years together. At Loyola Kathy and Tom met so many dear friends who remained their closest friends for their entire lives.

Kathy and Tom together were tireless advocates for their family, their Catholic faith, the city of New Orleans, and the state of Louisiana. Kathy was her husband’s biggest asset while serving as his campaign manager for his successful elections to the Louisiana House of Representatives, the Louisiana Senate, and to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention of 1973. She was a dedicated volunteer at her children’s schools of Ursuline Academy, Jesuit High School, and Academy of the Sacred Heart. She was chairperson of Pre-Cana for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, president of the Ladies Auxiliary of New Orleans Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana State Legislature Wives Auxiliary. She served on the Board of Directors of Citizens for Quality Nursing Home Care, Louisiana Independent Colleges and Universities, Odyssey House, New Orleans Opera Guild, and the Louisiana Arts Council, and she was an active member of the Orleans Club. Because of her great love for New Orleans, she thoroughly enjoyed being a tour guide for the city for over 20 years.

She, together with Tom, was very involved in the Catholic Church as a daily Mass attendee, Pre-Cana mentor, and member of many Catholic organizations. She was a parishioner of St. Rita Church, Holy Name of Jesus Church, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, and was a committed adorer at Holy Name adoration chapel. She received the Order of St. Louis Medallion Award from the Archdiocese of New Orleans for service to the Church. In raising their family, Kathy and Tom instilled in their children a deep Catholic faith and taught their children by example how to treat others with compassion, courtesy, and kindness.

Kathy and Tom were avid travelers, visiting all 50 states and over 50 countries, often bringing along various children and grandchildren. Kathy loved politics, history, geography, English literature, opera, and Saints football. She was completely devoted to her family and friends. Her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews adored and admired her. Her home was the center of untold numbers of family gatherings, dinners, holiday celebrations, and parties. She made everyone feel welcome, special, and loved.

She passed into eternal life surrounded by her family on March 26, 2025 after a very brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Alcade Casey, her sister, Angela Brady Kelly, and her parents Teresa Chambers Brady and John Francis Brady. She is survived by her five children: Pamela Casey Stanton (Kim), Thomas Alcade Casey, Jr. (Elizabeth), Katherine Casey Caffery (Michael), Shannon Casey Countryman (Clay), and John Brady Casey (Ashley). She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Sarah Stanton Craft (George), Peter Casey Stanton, John Brennan Stanton (Anne), Michael St. Marc Caffery, Jr., Thomas Casey Caffery, Kate Countryman Clausen (TR), Betsy Brady Countryman (fiancé John Horey), Anne Brady Caffery, Molly Casey Countryman, Caroline Whittington Casey, and Kathryn Grace Casey, by 10 great-grandchildren, and by many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the outstanding staff at Lambeth House, 2nd floor St. Anna’s. They are angels on earth.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Rita Catholic Church, 2729 Lowerline St., New Orleans on Wednesday, April 2 at 12 noon with visitation at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 2701 State Street, New Orleans 70118 or Covenant House, 611 North Rampart Street, New Orleans 70112.