Katherine “Kate” Elizabeth Dean, age 8, of Camden, NC, left this Earth on April 13, 2022. Born in Elizabeth City, NC on December 16, 2013 to Roy Anthony “Tony” Dean and Tracy Filarecki Dean, she was a student in the second grade at Grandy Primary School.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brothers, Patrick and Forbes Dean; maternal grandparents, Gary Filarecki and Sue Hayhurst; paternal grandparents, Shelly and Tommy Harris; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Roy Dean.
Kate was a spunky little girl with auburn hair and a smattering of freckles dusting her nose. She loved her brothers, and she lit up any room she entered. Kate was fearless, rose to any occasion, and was never afraid to be herself. A “beautiful, bright, sassy firecracker”, her personality was too big for her body. Everyone wanted to be Kate’s friend because her spirit was fiery and contagious. With her infectious nature, she could put a smile on the saddest of faces. She was also adventurous, and during her time on Earth, Kate taught us all how to live life to its fullest. She was active in soccer and planned to play softball in the spring. Kate loved bright colors and wanted to be an artist when she was older, no doubt the rainbow within her needing an outlet. Kate loved, and was loved, ferociously. She will be missed with just as much intensity.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the Whitehall Shores Community Beach in Camden with the Rev. Daniel Cenci and Father Chip Broadfoot officiating. The family requests that attendees please wear bright, spring colors. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Kate’s memory to the SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina, 102 Enterprise Drive, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 is serving the Dean family. Online memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.TwifordFH.com. To plant a tree in memory of Kate or to send flowers to the family, please visit www.TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.
Contact Information:
Twiford Funeral Home (Elizabeth City)
405 East Church Street,
Fax: 252-335-4329
Email: J.J.Twiford@TwifordFH.com
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Sarah Wagoner
Precious, beautiful & loved. Can’t imagine. Sorry sounds so weak. So many embrace this family. What can we do? Why God? May we all help you through this.
Linda B Thompson
Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstring into infinity. Asking God to wrap his comforting arms around you and your family Amen
Tina
My heart is breaking for you all. Sending all my hugs and prayers.
Joni Barefoot
I am so sorry for her family to have to go through this. God must of had plans for Kate, she will be your angel watching over you all. I didn’t know her family but I know her Aunt Faith and her family. Give this family strength and comfort in the coming days, weeks, months and years. Rest easy Kate.
Ginny Bunch
I have watched Kate grow up on Facebook and it was always clear she had a certain sparkle and that she was deeply loved. Sending you all love and prayers for healing and comfort. May all the sweet memories you have help to sustain you. May you find support from each other and the community as you go through this unimaginable grief. ❤️
Sara Linehan
Oh my. This is so very hard. We will be there. It is so difficult, but I know it’s the best place to have the memorial—where she spent her happy times. This breaks my heart but warms it to know we can say goodbye where we all knew her best. ❤️
Becky Peirson
I’m so sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Patti Delano
So sorry for your family’s loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May all your precious memories bring comfort to all in this difficult time.
TRACY CREEF
I am heartbroken over your terrible loss. My prayers, hugs , and thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you all.
Mark, Marie,London,Arrow, Luna Russell
You were so loved precious Kate. You will be missed by all. Sending the Dean family all of our love.
Vaughn Freeman
With Heartfelt Sympathy! Prayers and Condolences for Tracy, Tony and all the family!!! Praying that God will touch you with his healing hand and give you the comfort and peace you need to get through .
Jon and Melba Van Dalsum
Tracy,Tony and family we pray for you all. May God hold you close. Through this absolutely ruff time.
You need anything just let it be known.
Dorsey Harris
There are no words. I am sending you love and prayers. Grieve in your own way and time.
Jerry Crain Sr.
Be at peace child of Jesus.
Janice Simmons
Prayers for your family.
Pat Taylor
I cannot imagine losing a child. I’m so sorry for your loss and am praying for peace and comfort for all the family.
Megan and tony wallace
I cannot imagine what your family is going through! We live in the neighborhood so please let us know if there is absolutely anything we can do! I pray for your healing and any sense of comfort you can come by!
Randy & Claudette Dean
Sending all our love and prayers at this sad time. God must have a plan and needed a special angel.
Brenda Hollowell-White
Thinking of Tracy and Tony and their two precious boys at this very most difficult time. Thinking of the whole Dean family and extended family. May you find peace and God’s grace. What a beautiful , special little girl loved by so many.
Deborah lee
I do not know this family but am heartbroken to hear of this tragic accident. I am praying for comfort and peace for her loved ones.
Dana
(((HUGS))) TO YOU ALL.
❤️ From all of us ❤️
Cathy
My heart breaks for you all , praying for you your family and friends of Kates for All to find comfort and strength and healing and memories to share lean on one another and that God would give you strength and comfort you need to get through the days weeks months to come ,
Shawn, Heather & Sophia Bland
My heart just breaks for you all! I’m truly sorry for your loss! Kate was loved by everyone who met her! You’re in our thoughts and prayers! May God grant you peace and comfort in this unimaginable time.
bettieduncan
so sorry about your loss may she rest in pease I did not know her but i am praying for the family
Molly Brite
There are no words. I am so very sorry. Prayers that the Lord surrounds you all during this sorrowful and devastating loss of your precious child.
Denise Southerland
My heart has been aching for you, Tony and all that are within your circle. Please know her presence was such purpose. I could see it in every photo since birth. Her soul did beyond good. Tremendous love to all of you.
CJ Taylor
I’m so sorry for your loss, devastating. I can’t imagine.. Brittany and I have been lifting your family in prayers ❤️
Melody Hammond Spivey
So sorry for your loss, prayers for your family and her brothers, may God wrap you in his arms during this difficult time .
Rob Peterson
Condolences and deepest sorrow for your loss of Kate, my prayers are with all of you.
See you soon at Kate’s Service.
Bonnie
No words can express how sorry I am for the loss of your beautiful little girl. Praying for comfort and strength for all of you and your family. Kate will live forever in your hearts and memories. Continued prayers for the days, weeks, months and years to come.
Ed and Carolyn Turner
Praying for you and your family. There are no adequate words, but praying God bring you peace, comfort and strength in the next difficult days.
PaTricia Crump
I am so sorry your family has lost your precious child. God will hold you tight. Hugs and prayers.
Kelly Whidbee
Lifting you all up in prayers. May God comfort you all during this time.
Linda & Bobby Clifton
A tragedy such as this can never make sense. Kate was such a beautiful, sweet spirit and was whisked away long before her time. We are so terribly, terribly sorry for your tragic loss of Kate. We wish we could somehow bear your pain and anguish for you. Sending you love and saying prayers for your family’s comfort.
Julie McIntosh
I only met Kate once briefly. It was when I took Lilly to Kate’s last birthday party. It was so fun watching Kate really enjoy every moment and everyone . May God hold your family in the palm of his hand and surround you all with His love and peace.
Julie Gregory
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers .
Amy Dixon
Dear Tony, Tracy and family,
Thinking of you guys constantly and hoping time will help heal your pain.
Kelly Shevitz Zimbro
Sending love! ♡ Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers!
Harvey Hess and family
We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts break for your family. Please know our family prays for y’all everyday.
Jenny Harris
Praying for the this dear sweet family. Kate was taken from them way too soon. I deliver flowers and when I drove through her neighborhood and saw all the mailboxes with bows in her favorite colors it just brought tears to my eyes. May God give you all strength in the coming days.
Doreen White
I am so sorry for your loss. Kate certainly was loved and lived a wonderful life. The pictures do show her personality. My deepest sympathy to your family and the community that has shown such loving support. I am praying for all of you. Doreen White, R.N
Dottie Skidmore
Love and prayers!! ❤️
Justin Blanchard
I don’t know the family personally, but I was so sorry to hear about the passing of this precious child. May God give you all strength, peace, and comfort as you go through this time of bereavement and transition.
Karen Spence Jackson
Know your loss has impacted communities far and wide. I know your pain for I have walked in this journey of losing a child. I will pray daily that comfort will come . In your lonely days know people are praying for you and keeping the memory of your sweet Kate alive. She is safe in the arms of God and one day we will understand this sorrowful time.
Ann Hoffman
What an unimaginable loss for you, and humanity. Kate touched so many in her too short time on Earth with her unabashed zest for life, adventure. I will always recall walking the dog by the Rivershore Road house. Kate would be running around the yard, shoeless despite some brisk temperatures, chasing her brothers. She’d come over to see the dog and demand “Why are you wearing shoes?” So bright and shining and funny and clever. And then there was the chained and locked refrigerator door and Kate standing in front, clearly very indignant. Such a special and singular child. Your grief — I cannot fathom it.
Jennifer
I’m sorry seems so little, so insignificant, but I am so sorry for your family’s loss! I pray that you all can find peace and comfort. You can just see and feel her personality, her spirit, her kindness. Praying for you all daily and surrounding you with so much love!
Joe and Marie Alvarez
Tracy and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, sending hugs and love!
Michele Warren
Thinking of you all today- though we did not know one another- a parent’s heart aches for one who has experienced such a tragic loss. Thank you for sharing her through pictures- a beautiful precious soul! May you feel God’s arms around you and know that you are covered in prayer for the days ahead.
Kim Lane
My sympathies to Tony, Tracy, Gary, Sue and Erin. Such a tragedy. Please know you all are in my thoughts and in my prayers. Heal in your own way and in your own time. Love and comfort to you all
Diane and Gary Sawyer
Dear God wrap your arms around this family today as they do the hardest thing imaginable I pray that through all this pain and heartache they can find some peace in knowing that Kate is in the arms of Jesus and she is fine
Ruth Cheeks
God bless you and your family.
.❤️
Michael & Holly Weisz
A child is always with us. First in their lifetime, then forever in memory. Although we were not lucky enough to meet your sweet girl, we are touched liked so many by the tributes of all who knew her and will think of Kate when a rainbow graces our sky We send your family heartfelt prayers that you may find strength and comfort in those surrounding you.
Bryan & Tanya Barclift
Father God,
Please be with the Dean family and their many special friends as they grieve and celebrated the life of Kate this morning. Please Father fill them with an abundance of strength that only you can provide. Help them Lord to remember and cherish all the many blessed, good times and to look to you alone when darkness comes. We trust you and know we’re only here for a short while, help us to use it for your kingdom so we can all be together again.
Amen
Our love and many prayers are with you all!
Bryan, Tanya, Colin and Cayden Barclift
Terry Rush Cremia
Dear Tony & Tracy, I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. I will keep you in my heart and pray that your family can heal over time. Best wishes always 🙂