Kate Irene Bastien

Kate was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Bastien; her sons, Anthony and Peter; and her brother, Albert.

She is survived by her sons, Brian Bastien and Jeffrey Bastien; her granddaughters, Rebecca Poole, Jessica Bastien, and Carly Bastien; her great-grandson, Cole Lilledahl her daughter-in-law, Cindy Bastien, Cindy's children and grandchildren, and Rebecca Wonson Sanders.

Kate was a devoted friend who kept in touch with both friends and extended family wherever life took them. She often fondly said, “You remember my friend from grade school,” reflecting her lifelong dedication to maintaining those connections.

Born in Massachusetts, Kate married Leon Bastien at the age of 19, and soon after they began raising their family. Throughout her life she lived in several places, including Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Springfield, Milford, and Plymouth, Massachusetts; Newbury Park, California; and eventually Stafford, Virginia, where she made her home for many years.

Kate held a variety of jobs during her life but found her true calling working for Mary Washington Hospital as a home health aide. In that role she traveled throughout the Stafford and Fredericksburg areas caring for people who could not care for themselves. Her compassion and dedication made a lasting difference in the lives of many families.

She had many hobbies and passions. Kate loved animals deeply and often rescued dogs from shelters, caring for them and their puppies until they could find homes. In her neighborhood she was known for helping animals in need and for her personal efforts to spay and neuter cats to control the local population. She also loved birds and kept parrots, cockatiels, and canaries.

Kate was an accomplished artist with a particular talent for painting still lifes. She also loved photography and was rarely without a camera around her neck, capturing everyday moments with family and friends.

She enjoyed traveling as well, taking memorable trips with her close group of women friends to places such as Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean.

Kate will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, independence, and the deep care she showed for both people and animals. She leaves behind a family and circle of friends who will miss her dearly.

Those wishing to honor Kate’s life may consider making a memorial donation to the SPCA, supporting the animals she loved so deeply, or to Mary Washington Hospital, where her work as a home health aide touched the lives of many in the community.

A Celebration of Life will be held at National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA, on April 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm.