Kathleen R. James

Kathleen "Kathy" James (nee Reilly), 82, passed away on Saturday January 20th after a brief illness. She was born in West Chester, PA to the late Lawrence "Eagle" Reilly and Alice "Jackie" (Jackson) Reilly. Kathy attended West Chester High School, finishing as part of the class of 1959. She went on to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse at Chester County Hospital School of Nursing.  After graduation in 1962, she began working at Phoenixville Hospital in the operating room before starting a family in Phoenixville, PA, where she resided until her death. When her daughters were in elementary school, Kathy returned to her career and worked in geriatric nursing. For many years she was the 11pm to 7am supervisor at Montgomery County Geriatric Center, also known at that time as The Johnson Home.

When an opportunity arose to return to working in an operating room, Kathy began the next phase of her nursing life by serving in several trauma centers in Philadelphia, including the former MCP Hospital, and Temple University Hospital. When Will's Eye Hospital began a neurosurgical service, Kathy was the first nurse to be hired. She went on to help develop the inaugural neurosurgical nursing team there.

In her later years she came full circle, returning to the operating room at Phoenixville Hospital where she worked until her retirement at age 70.

Kathy enjoyed baking. For many years she would make every family member's favorite cake as a birthday treat. Her Christmas cookies were treasured by all who received them.  Kathy's love of Christmas extended far beyond baking. Before COVID, from just after Thanksgiving until mid-January, her home became a Christmas wonderland, delighting many who visited and enjoyed her Santa Claus collection, and all seven Christmas trees, especially 'The Big Tree'.

Kathy is survived by two daughters, Phyllis James of Phoenixville, PA, and Carolyn James of Denver, CO. She also leaves behind her sister, Alice R.  Crowthers of West Chester, PA, her niece and nephews, and her great nieces and nephew, and several cousins.

A celebration of Life will be held at the Devlin-Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on Sunday February 4th, 2024. Visitors are invited to stop by from 1pm to 3:00 pm. Interment will be private.

Kathy greatly adored her many 'granddogs' and all the foster dogs that came through her home. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Rescue Express therescueexpress.org/home-page ,  1030 Annin St. Philadelphia PA 19147 or the animal rescue of your choice, would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, Kathy really set great store by the local newspaper's obituary notices. So much so, that after receiving the wrong local morning paper, she once called the circulation desk at The Daily Local News and complained that they needed to make sure to deliver her their paper because the other paper put the obituaries next to the classified ads and she thought that was pretty disrespectful. So, if you're reading this, especially if you have a little newsprint on your fingertips, know she is very grateful.