The Love of Our Lives and Center of Our Family

Kathleen Marie (Schug) Del Valle was born on March 7, 1957, in Cicero, Illinois, and peacefully departed this life on May 8, 2026, in Ocala, Florida.

Between those dates, Kathy built a life centered on love, family, perseverance, and service to others. She was a devoted and loyal wife, a deeply loved mother, and a proud and active “Oma” who cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. Whether baking cookies, fishing, attending sporting events, or simply creating memories together, Kathy poured her heart into her family.

In her younger years, Kathy had an adventurous spirit and even competed as a driver in demolition derbies. She was also incredibly creative and thoughtful. Every member of the family received a handmade Christmas stocking lovingly crafted by Kathy. Each holiday season, her kitchen transformed into a Christmas cookie factory, where she baked and decorated hundreds of cookies to ensure everyone had their favorite treats.

As the years passed, Kathy developed a passion for antiques. What began as a hobby soon became a business venture. She bought and sold antiques with a keen eye and remarkable taste, eventually renting her own booth and later founding her business, “Lilacs and Lace,” where she sold antiques online.

Kathy’s professional life reflected her intelligence, determination, and adaptability. Her first job was working in a boutique, where her excellent sense of style quickly earned her a promotion to buyer for the store. She later worked for DuPage County, Illinois, answering phones before taking a position at a Super America gas station, where she met the man who would become her lifelong partner.

Kathy was then employed as a payroll clerk in the Human Resources Department for the Village of Glendale Heights. Within only a few months, she was promoted to assistant to the city manager, where she oversaw the village insurance plan.

At the request of her fiancé, Kathy moved to Florida, where she briefly worked as a police dispatcher for the Coral Gables Police Department. She later became a ticket agent for Pan Am Airlines, a job she greatly enjoyed, especially because it allowed her and her husband to travel to several destinations together.

When Pan Am closed, Kathy once again reinvented herself. Determined and hardworking, she pursued a career in nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She worked in the Mother-Baby Unit, caring for countless mothers and newborns until her retirement.

Kathy’s life was not without hardship. She was first married in August 1978 and tragically became a widow on October 2, 1979, an experience that deeply affected her. She married

again on June 6, 1980, and became the loving mother of three children. After being abandoned physically and financially by her second husband, Kathy faced difficult times with tremendous courage and resilience. Living in a trailer, growing vegetables to feed her children, relying on a bicycle for transportation, and supporting herself with her sewing skills, she persevered through adversity while always putting her children first.

Eventually, Kathy moved in with her parents and began working at Super America. There, fate brought her together with a man who considered himself incredibly fortunate to have met her. Their relationship blossomed into a loving marriage that lasted 37 wonderful years until God called her home.

Kathy leaves behind a deeply grateful and loving family: her husband, Max; her children, Matthew Holub, Virginia “Ginni” Waugh, Anastasia “Stacy” Holub, Jacqueline Horruitiner, and Michael Del Valle; her cherished grandchildren, Aidyn Waugh, Ava Waugh, Avery Waugh, Mason Holub, Liam Holub, Izabella Horruitiner, Victoria Horruitiner, and Isaiah Del Valle; her son-in-law, Blake Waugh; daughter-in-law, Mariah Del Valle; mother-in-law, Norma Del Valle; brother, Eugene Schug; mother, Betty Dechau; stepfather, Klaus Dechau; and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

Kathy will be remembered for her strength, generosity, creativity, determination, and above all, the unwavering love she gave to her family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home in Silver Springs, FL is handling arrangements.