Kathleen Ann Dadey

September 5, 1959 - January 18, 2024

Parma Heights, Ohio - Kathleen Ann "Kate" Dadey, 64, of Parma Heights, OH passed away on January 18, 2024. Kate was born on September, 5, 1959 in Pittsburgh, PA to Thomas R. and Mary Ann Dadey. She lived in Sacramento, CA prior to moving to Ohio in 2021.

Kate's defining characteristics were her eagerness to learn and a curiosity about the world around her. A true scientist at heart, she attained two advanced degrees in the sciences. She began her education at Lafayette College with a BS in Civil Engineering. While there she was a member of the Engineering fraternity and the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

After Lafayette Kate moved to the University of Rhode Island which is where she fell in love with ocean sciences. From there she earned a Masters degree in Ocean Engineering and a PhD in Geological Oceanography. During the course of Kate's education she participated in ten research cruises, several above the Arctic Circle. Her research expertise, being related to ocean sediments, presented Kate with the opportunity to deep into the ocean in a two man submarine.

Having attained her PhD, Kate decided to continue her research. Her post doctoral work in geological oceanography took her to the University of Hawaii. During her 7 years in Hawaii she transitioned to a career in environmental regulations and permitting. It was there she began her long career with the federal government. Kate worked for both the EPA and the US Army Corp of Engineers in several locations. She was passionate about her work which often dealt with the regulations related to the Clean Water Act and Ocean Dumping. Her position with those agencies led her to act as an expert witness for the government, in legal proceedings, both civil and criminal.

Outside of work Kate's secondary passion was international travel. It was not uncommon for her to visit several countries a year. Over the course of her life she's visited six out of the seven continents. One of her favorite places was Rome where she loved to visit the many museums and churches. She was particularly enchanted by the statues of Bernini. And the cat sanctuary in Rome where she adopted a small kitten she christened Claudio.

When not traveling internationally, Kate and her husband Chuck often traveled within central California visiting museums, art fairs, farmer's markets and the Monterey Bay aquarium.

At home in Kate was an avid reader, gardener, animal lover and volunteer for local organizations. She especially liked to support local theatre groups, small museums, zoos and animal welfare groups. She loved music and dancing and would try her hand at almost any art form including stained glass, pottery throwing, pressed flower art, flower arranging and more. It delighted her to make gifts for friends and family.

Kate was preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Chuck" Bates, her parents, Thomas R. and Mary Ann, and her niece, Elizabeth Nancy. She is survived by her sisters, Jeanine Greenbank and Maureen Swogger, and her brother and sister-in-law Brian and Laura. Kate is also survived by her nieces, Nicole, Emily, Rachel, Corinne, Christina and Lorraine.

Donations in Kate's memory can be made to the Monterey Bay Aquarium https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/join-give/ways-to-give/honor-a-loved-one