Katherine Balestrieri

Katherine Irene Balestrieri (Kathy), of Hope Mills, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the age of 68. Kathy will be remembered for her faith, devotion to family history, and her great love of animals.

She bred, trained, and raised Great Danes, a passion that brought her immense joy and purpose. Her home and heart were always open to animals, and she found tremendous fulfillment in caring for them throughout her life. Kathy also enjoyed riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, tending her garden, and spending time outdoors.

Like others in her family, she felt a special affinity for butterflies, viewing them as beautiful reminders of loved ones who had passed on and as symbols that carried comforting memories and enduring connections.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Larry Vincent Denny, Irene Frances (Zier) Denny, Larry Clyde Denny and Carolyn Beverly Kennon. She is survived by her sisters, Karen (Larry) Lam, Kim Denny (Keith) Bowley, and Kristina (Jordan) Krantz; and by her nieces and nephews, Jennifer Lam, Stephen Lam, Brian Lam, Katherine Lam, Mikaela Lam, Jessica Bowley, Victoria (B.J.) Largent, Hayden Largent, Jayden Brown Denny, Jordan Brown Denny, along with many extended family members, dear friends, especially her dearest friend and companion over the last 20 years, Jeff David Matthews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, beginning at 12 noon. Held at Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service, 610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. Interment will be held following the funeral service at Lafayette Memorial Park & Mausoleum West, 6701 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304, beginning at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Kathy’s honor to the Great Dane Society.