Kathleen Wallen, age 76 of Kennett Square, PA, entered into heavenly rest on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Born on June 2, 1949, in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, Kathy was the first of four children born to her parents, the late Frank and Margaret (Kelly) Clyde.

In 1954, the family moved to Earlington, PA. Kathy was educated in the Souderton Area School District and graduated in 1967. She attended West Chester State College obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1971 and later, an Associate in Science in Medical Secretarial from Gwynedd-Mercy College in 1979.

Kathy began her employment at Merck, Sharp and Dohme Pharmaceuticals in West Point, PA, in 1975, first working in the Print Department and later as an Executive Secretary. In 1994 she transferred to the newly established Astra Merck and worked as an Executive Secretary to the president and chief executive officer. In 2005 she began work as Associate Director, Commercial & Medicare Part D Contracting for Cephalon in Malvern. She retired in 2012.

Kathy will be remembered as a spirited independent woman and one who often spoke her mind, perhaps the origins being from a Scottish, Irish and German ancestry.

She became a "Poodle Person" in the early 1980's after receiving her first poodle named Holly as a Christmas gift. Over the next forty plus years, Kathy was very dedicated to the breeding, raising and professional showing of both miniature and standard poodles. Co-bred and handled by Kaz Hosaka, her miniature poodle Surrey Cherry Garcia won Best of Breed in 2015 at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

In 2024, miniature Surrey Sage, co-bred by Kathy and Kaz Hosaka and handled by Kaz, won the Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club.

With her hair coiffed, nails polished burgundy red, and "dressed to the nines", driving her huge motor home to all the various dog shows with all her dogs aboard was a site to behold.

Kathy was also very involved over the years in poodle rescue: finding permanent homes for abandoned, unwanted or surrendered poodles. She served for several years as an officer in the DELMARVA Poodle Rescue.

Kathy's other interests included visits to Longwood Gardens, enjoying the flowers in her own flower beds, antiquing, and just enjoying her home and being a loving "Dog Mom".

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, John D. Wallen.

Surviving are her three siblings: Carolyn and husband Stan Stavinski, Bear Creek, PA, William Clyde and wife Rene, Barto, PA, Terence Clyde and wife Beverly, Fleetwood, PA, along with nieces and nephews.

The family would Like to thank the staff at "The Birches" Harleysville and Grand View Hospice for their care and compassion.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Wayside Chapel located in Whitemarsh Memorial Park 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA 19002. A Memorial Service will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Kathy's memory to: The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation (PCARF), 910 Rolandvue Road, Baltimore, MD 21204 c/o Cindy Crawley or via their website by clicking here .