Kathleen Drew

Kathleen Ellen (Surette) Drew, wife of the late Charles Warren Drew, succumbed to her battle with cancer on July 12, 2024, at home. Kathy was born on August 13, 1946, to the late Arthur Raymond and Barbara Ellen Surette. She was raised in Malden, Massachusetts, where she graduated Malden High School in 1963.

     Kathy and Charlie married on November 11,1965 and they had their son Charles Drew Jr. on January 20, 1971. They moved to Santa Barbara, CA in 1974 where they built a happy life together.

     In 1979, Kathy  volunteered in Goleta Unified School District as a classroom assistant and then was employed as a playground aide and eventually became a Special Education Classroom Aide until she retired in 2011.  She took great pleasure in seeing the kids from school around town as they grew up.

     Kathy was an avid and exhaustive reader. She also enjoyed knitting, gardening and the outdoors, whether it was the mountains or the beaches or anywhere in between. Road-trips occurred frequently. She enjoyed travels to New England to visit her siblings and their families.

She took great delight in traveling with Chuck, Pretzel and Johann. Las Vegas was a favorite destination, where she was fond of reading by the pool and having nice meals with family and friends.  Kathy loved the family trips to the Philippines and the opportunity to visit with her daughter in law’s family there.

     Kathy is survived by her son, Charles Warren Drew Jr. his wife Pretzel Drew and her grandson Johann San Diego; By 5 siblings, her brother Arthur Raymond Surette of Effingham, NH; her sisters Marcia Anne Surette of Methuen, MA, Judith Jean Morrison of Long Beach, CA, Evelyn Irene Sibelle, of Wesley Chapel, FL, and Janice Elaine Sawyer, of Wilmington, MA. Kathy was predeceased by her brother John Edward Surette. She is also survived by Arion Larsen, whom she loved as a son, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nephews and grand nieces.

     Kathy will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by many.

A small service will take place at 11:00am Wednesday July 17 at the Goleta Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate in her honor to your preferred cancer related charity.