Kathleen Mae Desmarais

With profound sadness and immense love, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and mom mom, Kathleen Desmarais, on June 27, 2026, at the age of 84.

She was the heart of our family and a source of strength, love, and comfort to everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. She had a way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Her kindness, compassion, and unwavering love touched countless lives.

She was born on January 16th in Salem, New Jersey to George and Jeanette Ware. Throughout her life, she exemplified love, generosity, strength, humor, faith, dedication, selflessness, warmth, and resilience.

Throughout her life, she worked with dedication and pride and retired from Levitz Furniture and later from the United States Census Bureau. She valued hard work, responsibility, and giving her best in everything she did. More than the jobs she held, she will be remembered for the kindness, strength, and care she brought to the people around her and the lasting impact she made on those whose lives she touched.

Family was her greatest treasure, and she loved with her whole heart. She cherished time with those she loved and created memories that will live on forever.

Her grandson, Cole, held a special place in her heart. Whether she was jumping on the trampoline, shooting hoops, or simply sharing laughter and time together, she found joy in making memories and will always be endlessly proud of him.

She also treasured the love and bond she shared with the entire Desmarais family. The memories, stories, laughter, and love they created throughout the years remained precious to her heart.

As we look back, we realize that the moments that seemed ordinary — her smile, her voice, her presence, her making time for family — were in fact life’s greatest gifts.

While our hearts are broken by her loss, we find comfort in knowing her love and values continue through the lives she shaped and the people she loved.

She is survived by: Husband Dave Desmarais, Daughter Angela Caban, Daughter Alisa Petrakis and husband Mark, Grandson Cole Mathis, Sister Barbara Van Namee, Sister-in-law Bea and David Lowe, Brother-in-law Carl and Chris Desmarais, Brother-in-law Phil and Pat Desmarais, Sister-in-law Mary and Richie Bork, Sister-in-law Carol and Bob Miller, and Cousin-in-law Allis and Bernie Guay.

Along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.

She was predeceased by her parents George and Jeanette Ware, brother George Ware, sister Betty Nicolosi, and in-laws, George and Gene Desmarais.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing that her love, lessons, strength, and spirit continue through all those she touched. The ordinary moments we shared with her became life’s greatest gifts, and her memory will remain in our hearts forever.

Services will be held on August 7, 2026, at:

St. Philip the Apostle Church 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD 20746

 10:00 am Visitation

 11:00 am Mass

 Interment will follow Mass at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in her memory to support Parkinson’s research and care through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Kathleen Desmarais tribute page.

Though she is no longer physically with us, her love remains woven into our hearts forever. Her legacy is not only in what she did, but in who she was — a woman who loved deeply, gave freely, and made everyone around her feel like family.