Catherine "Kitty" Mattingly Parlett

Catherine Ann Mattingly Parlett, lovingly known as “Kitty,” passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, surrounded by devoted family, loving caregivers, and her adored cat and faithful companion, Woodley. Kitty was born on September 17, 1937, in Loveville, Maryland. Kitty was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and faithful friend. She lived a life centered around family, love, and deep devotion to those around her. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Knight Parlett, Sr.; her parents, Mary Pauline and Joseph Woodley Mattingly; and her siblings, Jake Francis Mattingly and Diane Marie Hall. Kitty married her high school sweetheart, John Knight Parlett, on August 20, 1954. They were just 16 years old when they began a remarkable love story that lasted over 50 years, until John’s passing in 2005. Together, they built a life full of laughter, resilience, and unwavering commitment. They raised their large family on Green Manor Farm in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, where Kitty created a home filled with warmth and joy. A devoted and loving mother of seven children (she was just 23 years old when her youngest was born), she had a rare gift for making each child feel uniquely cherished. To this day, every one of her children knows, without a doubt, that they were her favorite. Kitty’s love extended far beyond her immediate family. She delighted in her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother, finding immense joy in every new generation. She is survived by her seven loving children and their spouses: John Knight, Jr. (Betsy), Joseph Lawrence (Michele), Cathleen Parlett Moeller (Robert), Cynthia Parlett Pickett (Ron), William Timothy (Cindy Burch), Robert Wayne (April), Julie Parlett DeCesaris (Hugo). She is also survived by 21 grandchildren: John Knight Parlett III, Jill Parlett Koziol, Matthew Thomas Parlett, Kevin Mattingly Parlett, Joseph Lawrence Parlett II, Michael Francis Parlett, Jacob Andrew Parlett, Kyle Robert Moeller, Luke Woodley Moeller, Garrett Lawrence Moeller, Kristin Pickett Vasilj, Parlett Pickett Fritz, Marshall Mattingly Pickett, Ashley Parlett Konya, Jessica Parlett Smith, Robert Wayne Parlett II, Hailey Anne Parlett, Zachary Mark Parlett, Alexandra DeCesaris Pantelides, Gabrielle DeCesaris Brickey, Catherine DeCesaris Fowler. She is further survived by 27 great-grandchildren, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Kitty will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering love, deep faith in family, and her remarkable ability to make everyone around her feel special. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the generations she helped shape with her love. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A private burial will take place at a later date. Serving as pallbearers Jay Parlett, Jacob Parlett, Kyle Moeller, Marshall Pickett, Ashley Konya, Robbie Parlett, and Alexandra Pantelides. Honorary Pallbearers Kitty’s nephews Michael Gardiner, Steven Gardiner, David Mattingly, Kevin Mattingly, Ritchie Hall, and Jamie Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, 28120 Old Flora Corner Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659, https://surl.lu/gkhvdj and/or St. Mary’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 21585 Peabody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650, https://surl.li/icniri. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.