Mary Kathryn Degler

Mary Kathryn "Kathy" Degler, 68, of Butler, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025, in Butler Memorial Hospital, Butler. She was born November 29, 1956, in New Kensington to the late William A. and Agnes (Trenski) Simback. Kathy was a public servant at heart. She was the first woman firefighter at Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire Department #4 in the 1970's. She began her career with the City of Pittsburgh and spent her first few years as a paramedic. During this time, she taught basic lifesaving skills to all the police recruit classes. Then, Kathy decided she could better serve the City of Pittsburgh as a police officer. She graduated from the Pittsburgh Police Academy on May 27, 1980, and would serve the City of Pittsburgh in various capacities for the next 42 years. Kathy began her career in the Community Oriented Policing program as an officer and, after a few years, was able to return to the Police Academy as an instructor in CPR/First Aid and firearms. She was promoted to Sergeant and then Lieutenant during her time there. Kathy was promoted to Commander, where she spent the last 22 years of her career. Initially, she worked in personal and finance, then Zone 4 in Squirrel Hill, and finished at the Municipal Courts Building in Support Services. Kathy's favorite service to the department was her leadership in the peer support group for which she had been responsible since 2015. It gave her great satisfaction. She graduated from Highlands High School in Natrona Heights, Pa., and attended The University of Pittsburgh. Kathy was a devoted Catholic and was a member of Saint Paul Cathedral. She was on the finance council, an offertory counter, a member of the rosary group, and a committed adorer at the Oratory. Kathy also organized police and traffic control for special events. Her family and her many friends will deeply miss Kathy.Kathy is survived by her sister, Carol A. (Ronald D.) Briney, of Buffalo Township, brother William A. Simback (Fiance, Holly Bienkowski), of Sweat Valley, nephews Lance Cpl. Jack William Simback, US Marine Corp. and Ronald D. Briney Jr., of Pittsburgh, great nephew Nicholas A. Briney, and numerous friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 800 Montana Avenue, Natrona Heights. Burial will be private. Arrangements are under the care of the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688. To send an online condolence, please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.