Mary Katherine Pressel Shinn Holstrom, retired educator

Mary “Kathy” Katherine Pressel Shinn Holstrom, 84, of Lewes, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, at The Moorings at Lewes. She was born to Thomas and Mary Pressel on December 11, 1939, in Meadville, Pa.

Kathy graduated from Towson High School and the University of Baltimore School of Nursing in Baltimore, and attended Johns Hopkins University, where she majored in elementary education and psychology, and where she worked for 12 years as a research staff assistant in the department of oceanography.

In 1959, she married Scott Shinn, and they had two daughters, Jeannie and Wendy Shinn. They lived in Cape St. John, Annapolis, Md. In 1972, Scott left the family and his whereabouts were unknown for the next 10 years. Kathy successfully raised the girls by working three jobs. Kathy was a teacher of remedial reading and math at Parole Elementary School in Annapolis, Md., and then worked for the central office of the board of education in the guidance department, where she worked until her retirement. She was a medical transcriptionist for the Greater Annapolis Medical Group for many years and also was the administrative coordinator for scholarships at the board of education. She also worked part time as an editor for St. John’s College, completing assignments nights at home.

Kathy was an active member of St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Annapolis where she was one of the first volunteers at the Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter and was an assistant chaplain at the Annapolis Lutheran Mission Society. She was a member of the Annapolis Choral Society.

In 1991, Kathy married the love of her life, retired Navy commander Cecil Holstrom, whom she had met in church. They bought an oceanfront condo in Rehoboth Beach and lived there until Cecil died in 2005.

They were the happiest years of Kathy's life. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach, sang in the chancel choir, was involved with the cancer support group and the widows group, and served meals to the international students once a week. Kathy was a member of Rehoboth Beach Country Club, the VIA, Rehoboth Main Street, and Rehoboth Art League.

In 2007, Kathy moved into Cadbury at Lewes, now The Moorings, where she was secretary for the residents' association for eight years. She also sang with the Cadbury chorus from its inception and participated in most of the activities there, and loved it.

Kathy was preceded in death by her first husband, Scott Shinn; her second husband, Cecil Holstrom; and her daughters Jeannie Shinn and Wendy Hutson.

She is survived by four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Kathy was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed reading, painting, music, playing games and cards, mah jongg and watching sports. She was a good friend to many and will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior’s music program.

Visit Kathy’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.