Kathryn Elaine "Kitty" (Lockett) Sears, 87

OCEAN VIEW - Kathryn Elaine "Kitty" (Lockett) Sears of Ocean View passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, surrounded by her family. She was 87.

Mrs. Sears was born Dec. 17, 1919, in Annapolis, Md.

She was a member of the graduating class of 1936 of Annapolis High School.

Mrs. Sears" first place of employment was Eggleston"s Jewelry Store on Main Street, Annapolis. In the mid-1950s, she went to work for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. In 1960, Nationwide promoted her to the position of underwriter, the first woman in the entire company to hold that position.

She moved in 1983 to Fenwick Island, where she resided for 21 years until moving in 2004 to Ocean View. In retirement, she enjoyed crabbing, boating and playing canasta. She especially enjoyed her family and, as an avid golfer, enjoyed boasting about her two holes-in-one. She was blessed with many neighbors and friends, and enjoyed residing with her daughter, Carol Hughes, and with Carol Patterson, both of whom were proud to care for her.

Mrs. Sears served in 1952 as president of the Ladies of the Elks, Lodge 622, in Annapolis. She also was a past president of the Secretaries Association in Annapolis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell Myers and Annie Josephine (Woodefeld) Lockett; a sister, Mary Ellen Hopkins; her first husband, James "Knockey" Hughes; and her second husband, Robert C. Sears.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Carol Hughes; Lu Ella and Mike Moore, and Patty and Jerry Hammond; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Bob and Marianna Sears, and Jim and Susan Hughes; five grandchildren, Amy Donovan, and her husband, Steve, Megan Hopkins, Michael Hammond, Emily Hughes and Julia Hughes; a precious great-granddaughter, Allison Donovan; a sister, Marie Roberts of McClain, Miss.; a brother, Russell Myers Lockett Jr. of Roswell, N.M.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Melson"s Funeral Chapel, West Avenue, Ocean View. The Rev. Bruce Miller, pastor of St. Matthew"s By-the-Sea Methodist Church, Fenwick Island, will officiate.

The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Matthew"s By-the-Sea Methodist Church, West Dagsboro Street, Fenwick Island, DE 19944.