Katie's Obituary
Kaitlyn “Katie” Anne Waggett, 31, of West Mifflin, PA, passed away on May 10th, 2023 after complications with her heart.
Katie was born on February 15th, 1992, in Pittsburgh, PA to her beloved parents Gregory W Waggett and Lisa E Waggett (Jenkins). She was the younger sister to Gregory W (Kelli) Waggett Jr. Her family loved her more than words can describe, and she was truly a wonderful person. Katie and her mother were incredibly close, calling her every day during her lunch, talking through the whole half hour together. Every conversation she had with someone ended with “I love you”.
After graduating from West Mifflin Area High School in 2010, Katie went to college at CAL U, and finished her studies at CCAC with an associate’s degree in graphics design. Katie’s career was a people person/receptionist at various employers including Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Century 3 Kia, and various health care locations, with the last being South Hills Pain and Rehab. A bittersweet moment the family found during the funeral preparation was that her lovely voice was still the one that greets you on the Funeral Home’s answering service to this day.
Katie was very active at her church, Lebanon Presbyterian Church, where she was also a Deacon. She loved that church, all the people, and even more importantly, she loved Christ.
Katie had a lot of health struggles throughout the years, and many truly have no idea what she was going through daily aside from her immediate family and closest friends. The last few months were very difficult for her, and she was struggling both physically and emotionally. After cries for help, it was found that Katie needed open heart surgery, replacing her heart valve as well as some reconstructive work on her Aortic Root. She was so optimistic that it was finally found, and a brighter future was ahead for her.
The surgery took place on Thursday, May 4th, 2023. Her family was with her in the hospital that morning, comforting her, telling her it was all going to be alright. She woke from the surgery immediately filled with humor and love, making them all smile from ear to ear. Unfortunately, this story did not live up to the ending we had all assumed it to have. Katie came home from the hospital on Monday, May 8th, having been picked up by her sister-in law, having a nice moment together after all that happened. Gregory finds comfort that though he could not be with her, Katie and Kelli were laughing and enjoying each other’s’ company while waiting for her father.
Katie was doing well, until Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, when her family’s lives changed forever. She was rushed to Jefferson Hospital after complaints of pain, followed by a collapse. Her family all rushed to the hospital to be in her corner. She had won all these before, however, they unfortunately witnessed the one that she would not. As an organ donor, we feel that Katie will find peace knowing she has helped to better someone else’s life through her own.
Katie was preceded in death by many loved ones, including her grandparents, Harry and Anne Jenkins as well as Warren and Judy Waggett, her aunt Linda Slavonic, cousin Lauren Mahoney, her Uncle “Bud” Harry Jenkins, and many others. She has an impressive greeting party in heaven filled with wonderful people. She is survived by her mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, her dog Kaylee, her Grandmother Henrietta Waggett, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and many close friends.
Katie’s funeral viewing will be held this Sunday, May 14th, 2023 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home 301 Curry Hollow Rd Pittsburgh PA 15236 from 2pm – 7pm. Her funeral service will be at the same location at 12pm on Monday, May 15th, 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the family. Online condolences at www.jeffersonmemorial.com
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