SC woman who died in Bucks County flooding was proud mom, sister, friend
Kathryn “Katie” Seley lost everything but her life in 2014.
She was among a dozen tenants who lost their homes and belongings after an electrical fire heavily damaged the apartments inside a three-story historical building in Charleston, South Carolina.
Three months later, her longtime employer, a personal chef service, threw a fundraiser for her dubbed the “Gadsden Street Fire Relief Party ” to help Seley back on her feet.
The event featured braised pork and chicken tacos, pineapple-jalapeno mimosas and pastries, Irish folk music and local art work.
Nearly a decade since that tragedy and another fundraiser is underway honoring Seley. But this one is under far more heartbreaking and catastrophic circumstances.
Seley, 32, is the youngest among the five confirmed drowning victims who perished July 15 on a stretch of Washington Crossing Road, also called Route 532, in what officials have called an unprecedented flash flooding event in Upper Makefield.
As if the death of a young mother is not horrific enough, Seley’s two youngest children — Conrad, nicknamed “Rad” and born last October, and 2-year-old Matilda, who is called “Mattie” — have not been seen since they slipped out of the arms of their mother and grandmother.
While the family’s names and images are now recognized across the world, little is known about them outside of the circumstances surrounding their loss.
Seley, her fiancé, Jim Sheils, their children and Seley’s mother, Dahlia Galindez, who all live in Charleston, were visiting Sheils’ family in Bucks County.
Jim, Katie, the kids and Galindez were on their way to a cookout at Sheils’ parents home in Newtown Township.
They were in the area of Stonebridge Crossing Road, roughly four miles from their destination, when the skies opened up and Houghs Creek overflowed its banks.
Sheils and the couple’s 4-yearold son, Jack, escaped. Seley’s mother, 62, was also swept away, but miraculously survived with minor injuries after she was pulled into the waters.
Hours later, rescue crews found Seley’s body and two others in the area of Houghs Creek, south of Route 532. The search for the missing Mattie and Conrad entered a fifth day on Wednesday amid unfavorable weather conditions.
Family and friends of the couple have mostly kept silent since, declining or ignoring interview requests and shunning social media. The handful that have posted messages online expressed condolences and appreciation for the community support.
Among the dozens of posts on the Upper Makefield Police Department Facebook page Sunday night was one from a man who identified himself as the uncle of Seley, who at that point had not been publicly named as a victim.
Peter Galindez expressed the family’s gratitude to the community for its support.
“This is so devastating, but your updates and all the supportive comments have been comforting,” he wrote. “Thank you to all the first responders working tirelessly to find my niece’s two children.”
At a media update on July 17, the same day Seley and her children were identified, Scott Ellis, husband of Jim Sheils’ sister, spoke. So far, it has been the only public appearance by family members.
In a prepared statement, Ellis expressed deep gratitude for emergency responders and the community’s outpouring of support, love and prayers.
“It has bolstered us, as all,” Ellis said. “We ask that you continue to pray for the return of Conrad and Mattie and for the safety of all of those committed to bringing them home to us.”
He added the families are requesting privacy and space for themselves and for those they know to process their deep grief.
“As you can imagine, we are utterly devastated by the incredible loss our family has suffered,” Ellis added.
Earlier on July 17, Jim Sheils’ father attended morning Mass at his church, St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Newtown Township, pastor Msgr. Michael Picard said.
Saturday night Katie Seley and the children had been missing for several hours, when the church sent out a chain email seeking prayers on the family’s behalf.
A follow up email Sunday morning broke the bad news that Jim Sheils identified her body, one of three victims pulled from Houghs Creek the night before.
A deeper glimpse into the lives of Seley and her family can be found in older social media posts, including ones Seley wrote on her Facebook page.
She is one of seven siblings who are spread out across the country. She hails from Brackney, Pennsylvania, in Susquehanna County. She and Sheils have been together since at least 2017.
She worked as a self-employed nanny, according to her Linkedin profile. She studied baking and pastry at the Trident Technical School in North Charleston.
A cousin described Seley as “spunky, fun-loving, captivating and vibrant,” in a Facebook post after her death.
Prominent in her posts and photos on her social media are Sheils, their children, her extended family and friends.
In a May 27 Facebook post featuring nearly a dozen photos of her oldest child, Jack: “The sweetest, coolest, most hilarious little 4-year-old I know. Happy Birthday my boy.”
On Mother’s Day, another dozen photos of her kids.
“The cutest little people who made me a mom. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mammas out there.”
Seley gave a shout out to one of her sisters in a post on Jan. 2.
“So proud of my sister for all her hard work and what she’s made out of herself. She is truly the best at what she does. Check her out.”
Relatives, friends build a protective wall around surviving family
Courage and strength of family members inspires strangers
Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer is among the first responders who have been inspired by the strength of the Sheils family.
“As a testament to their character, resilience and compassion, they have come and met with us and consoled us,” Brewer said at a press conference earlier this week.
As of Wednesday, more than six dozen people had left words of hope and condolence on the GoFundMe page the family started to benefit Jim and Jack Sheils. The fund had raised more than $160,000 in two days.
Some are friends and relatives like Wendy Leber and Chad Smith.
“I have wonderful memories of Katie and the Seley family growing up,” Leber said. “I remember her as such a fun, free, vibrant, spirited person. So so sorry for your loss.”
“The Sheils are like extended family to us and our kids and our
hearts are breaking for you all,” Smith wrote.
But many are strangers, like Joey and Lauren Swope.
“We live on Taylorsville Rd and my 11-year-old son and I barely made it through the mess … I cannot even begin to imagine the pain your family is suffering. You and yours are in our hearts and thoughts.”
And Brittany Durand:
“I lost my grandmother Yvonne Mahoney, September 1st in a flash flood from Hurricane Ida. This happened almost directly across the river, on the NJ side, to where this tragic accident occurred. My heart breaks for you & your family & we may not know you but my family & I are thinking of you. & words cannot express the sorrow we feel for you. stay strong.”
And Beth Miller:
“Although we have never met — the community is holding your family close to our hearts and will continue (to) pray for your whole family.”