Remembring Kathleen “Casey” Marie DeSouza

Kathleen “Casey” Marie DeSouza was born in a military hospital at Fr. Belvoir in Virginia on June 2, 1961, to her parents Charles and Anne O’Donnell. Casey was the tenth child of eleven for the O’Donnell couple.  She left us to be with our Lord on Jan. 3, 2021, six months shy of her sixtieth birthday.

Casey was born into a Catholic and military family. Her father Charles O’Donnell proudly served our military, until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the late 1970’s. He worked at the Pentagon, and was buried at Arlington Cemetery on Dec. 27, 1983.  

Casey’s mother, Anne, manned the troops at home, caring for her eleven children and was a major provider from the home. Charles served the military in numerous ways, Casey fondly reminisced about the family’s five years in Germany. She had the opportunity to learn German when she was there, from the time she was five until her return at age eleven. The family moved back to the Virginia area where Casey finished out middle and high school.

With the encouragement of her father, Casey went straight to work. She excelled at shorthand, was a skilled accountant, and had a knack for premier organization. She succeeded at every job she took. 

She had originally met her future husband, Nelson, as a neighbor in Vienna, Virginia. Many years later they meet again, and a new relationship began.

Nelson and Casey married on Jan. 30, 1985. They were blessed with two daughters, Anna (Want) and Kathleen (Henley). Nelson and Casey were partners in every sense of the word. They went on to create and run three businesses: DeSouza Construction, Nelka LLC, and Casanel Vineyards and Winery in Leesburg,VA.  

Much of the success of these businesses, Nelson lays at Casey’s feet. Casey had a way to make all those whom she interacted with feel special and respected.  All her former employees speak highly of how she was there for them in more ways than any standard employer. 

She was their teacher, teaching many of their construction employees English. She often helped employees’ pregnant wives secure doctor’s appointments and more. She listened to them, and she was always ready with a hug. She had a smile that “lit up the room” and was a shining light to all the people she touched.

Casey is survived by her husband of 36 years, Nelson DeSouza and their daughters Anna and Katie, their husbands, and her grandchildren. She is survived by her siblings Peter O’Donnell, Margaret Appel, John O’Donnell, Stephen O’Donnell, Mary Herring, Joseph O’Donnell, and Anne Tyrpak. Casey was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Anne, as well as by her siblings Charles O’Donnell, Michael O’Donnell and Patricia Jarosz.

Casey is sorely missed and will continue to be, especially during the Christmas season – which was her favorite time of year.  

We hope, in her memory, to always make this a special time for those nearest and dearest to us, and for the strangers we can touch with a simple smile. 

Thank you, Casey, for all you did, your love will always remain in the lives of those you touched.

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