Gloucester - Gloucester - Katharine M. Souza (Blick), of Gloucester, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, at Seacoast Rehabilitation Home where she was suddenly, and briefly, placed under Hospice Care. She was the proud middle daughter born to the late READM USN Robert E. Blick, Jr and Laura (Kimball) Blick.

Her radiant smile was her signature. She wore that smile in whispering some of the last words she spoke to her daughter, "I miss you" and "I love you to the moon". She didn't want to bother anyone, EVER, and she was steadfast in that desire to the end.

She traveled around the world following "Daddy" in the USN. However, her "home base" was always and will forever be, Mussel Point, here in Gloucester. She was fortunate enough to be raised by "a village" on "the Point" where that repeated itself as she eventually raised her three daughters as a single Mom.

Throughout life she was like a mermaid swimming in the water, graceful and adept. As such, she was a lifeguard/swim instructor at many local beaches in her youth. She was a graduate of GHS '55 and a B.A. followed from Connecticut College. More fun & important to her than a "formal education" though, was traveling abroad for the summer after college.

She waitressed; worked her way up at many local banks, eventually retiring from a career in Finance for the Federal Government at NOAA.

Our Mum/Grammy was happiest whenever, wherever she could be with the ones she loved. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as sunbathing ANYWHERE, or just gazing from her home as the sun set.

Later in life, she felt robbed by what COPD, such an insidious disease, kept her from doing with friends, family, and especially, her great-granddaughters. She was grateful for her independence at home which was aided by special care from, Lisa Riley, from Sr Care.

She forged decades long bonds with co-workers, friends and neighbors whom she fully appreciated and adored.

She was uniquely special in all that is good and decent on this earth. We will miss her immensely, but we know that she is with those we have lost probably on a pristine beach by the ocean she so loved.

Survived by loving daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Alex Ballarin of Gloucester. Grandson, who she "loved to bits and pieces", "AJ" Ballarin and his wife Hannah, of Ipswich. Loving grandmother to Erica (Capone) Serrin, whose love and perseverance endlessly amazed her, and her husband Jason; her great-granddaughters, Isla and Mia O'Hanley and Nina Serrin all of Gloucester. Loving Aunt to nephews "JB", Rob, Doug, and Scott Westerbeke and families, and David Houlihan. Special niece, Laura K. Houlihan. Sister-in-law to John "Jack" H. Westerbeke, Jr. and his wife, her "sister-by-choice", Recilla "Cil" Westerbeke.

In addition to her parents, Katharine is predeceased by her beloved daughters Laura B. Capone and Phoebe A. Souza. Her devoted sisters who helped and supported her throughout their lives together, Barbara E. Houlihan and Frances K. Westerbeke. Son-in-law Joseph M. Capone. Brother-in-law Jim Houlihan. Special "Friend-in-law", Nina Capone. All her fur-babies, but most recently, her beloved kitty "KoKo".

Honoring her wishes for privacy and absolutely abhorring being the center of attention, there will be NO services.

Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.

For online condolences please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com.