Katie W. Mao

Katie Wei Mao was born on November 2, 2001, in Dallas, Texas. After a long and courageous battle against Gorham’s disease, at twelve years old, Katie left this earth for Heaven on December 17, 2013. Katie’s parents are Cindy Wei and Howard Mao. She is survived by her brother, Kevin, whom she was especially close to. Her extended family includes her grandparents Dazhong Wei, Yuxiang Tian, and Chao Mao. Other family includes her uncles Gang Wei and Wei Tian and Aunt Haiyan Mao. Her family members were a constant support and source of strength for Katie throughout her life.

Katie attended Mathews Elementary and Schimelpfenig Middle School in Plano, Texas, where she was a sixth grade honor student. Her aspiration was to go to college and become an engineer. Incredibly bright and talented, Katie excelled in academics. She was a PACE student and was among the top one percent of all math students by qualifying in fourth grade for Math Rocks, an upper level math program in Plano. She was also awarded the Presidential Award for Academic Achievement as a fifth grader at Mathews Elementary. Katie loved art and masterfully created beautiful artwork for her family and friends to enjoy. In her free time she also loved to swim. Swimming gave Katie a feeling of freedom and she treasured her time in the water. Katie also loved attending Esperanza Camp in the summers. Most importantly Katie will be remembered for her contagious smile and fierce determination. She lit up any room when she entered with her beautiful smile. Katie touched many lives in her twelve years. She taught those around her about life and living, about courage and determination, about kindness and laughter. Wise beyond her years, Katie appreciated the simple things in life telling her mom that the special things about being home included opening the windows to feel the breeze, her mom cooking in the kitchen, playing on an Ipad, and the dog outside in the yard. Whether at home, at school, or at the hospital, Katie was never one to complain. She encouraged others by her example and grit. In the end, her body was unable to overcome the disease that she had fought for so long. Still planning for the future, Katie asked, “In Heaven would she be able to walk; would she be able to run?” With quiet confidence she was told, “Yes.” Today Katie is running freely and laughing loudly. Her beautiful smile will be remembered in our hearts and our minds and will never be forgotten. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Funeral Services starting at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Sparkman Funeral Directors, 1029 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson, Texas 75081. Interment will follow at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow, Allen, Texas.

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,

Be happy that we had many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess

How much you gave me happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown

But now it’s time for me to travel on alone.

So grieve a while for grieve you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away for life goes on

So if you need me, call and I will come

Though you don’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear

All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I’ll greet you with a smile and say,

“Welcome Home.”