South Carolina mom who died in Upper Makefield flooding was proud mama, sister, friend

Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·6 min read
11

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.

The Sheils and Seley families. James Sheils holds son Conrad, Katie Seley holds daughter Mattie and in front is son Jack.
The Sheils and Seley families. James Sheils holds son Conrad, Katie Seley holds daughter Mattie and in front is son Jack.

More on fatal flash floods Five victims identified in Upper Makefield. Search for Mattie and Conrad continues

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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 fiance, Jim Sheils, their children and Seley’s mother, 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.

Officials on Monday identified one of the victims in the flooding and the names of the two children still missing. Matilda Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months, were swept out of their family’s hands during a flash flood in Upper Makefield Saturday evening. Their grandmother, who was holding one of the children, was later rescued. The children’s mother, Kate Seley, 32, died in the flooding. The children’s father, Jim and the couple’s older child both were rescued.
Flood waters covered the ground off of Mt. Eyre Road in Upper Makefield on Sunday July 16, 2023 after storms dumped up to six inches of rain in a matter of two to three hours in the area.
Flood waters covered the ground off of Mt. Eyre Road in Upper Makefield on Sunday July 16, 2023 after storms dumped up to six inches of rain in a matter of two to three hours in the area.

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.

Firefighters rescued Sheils, and the couple’s 4-year-old son, Jack. Seley’s mother, Dahlia Galindez, 62, also lives in Charleston, who was also swept away, also miraculously survived with minor injuries and she made her way to a stranger's home on nearby Stonebridge Crossing Road.

Dahlia Galindez (left) and her daughter Kathryn "Kaite" Seley. The women were swept up in floodwaters Saturday July 15, 2023. Galindez survived, but Seley didn't. Seley's two children are missing.
Dahlia Galindez (left) and her daughter Kathryn "Kaite" Seley. The women were swept up in floodwaters Saturday July 15, 2023. Galindez survived, but Seley didn't. Seley's two children are missing.

More on the search for Mattie and Conrad Tactics to change as search for kids lost to fatal flooding comes up empty on third day

More: As community gathers for Upper Makefield flood vigil, organizers talk of miracles

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.

Relatives, friends build a protective wall around surviving family

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.

Peter Galindez, uncle of Katie Seley, and brother Dahla Galindez, posted this comment on the Upper Makefield Township Police Department on Sunday July 16, 2023, one day after flash floods killed Seley. Her two children remain missing as of July 17, 2023.
Peter Galindez, uncle of Katie Seley, and brother Dahla Galindez, posted this comment on the Upper Makefield Township Police Department on Sunday July 16, 2023, one day after flash floods killed Seley. Her two children remain missing as of July 17, 2023.

More photos of the South Carolina family South Carolina family torn apart by Upper Makefield fatal floods identified

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.”

Scott Ellis, center, a relative of two missing children swept away by floodwaters last Saturday, attends a during a press conference held at the Washington Crossing United Methodist Church in Washington Crossing, PA, on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Scott Ellis, center, a relative of two missing children swept away by floodwaters last Saturday, attends a during a press conference held at the Washington Crossing United Methodist Church in Washington Crossing, PA, on Monday, July 17, 2023.

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.

Officials on Monday identified one of the victims in the flooding and the names of the two children still missing. Matilda Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months, were swept out of their family’s hands during a flash flood in Upper Makefield Saturday evening. Their grandmother, who was holding one of the children, was later rescued. The children’s mother, Kate Seley, 32, died in the flooding. The children’s father, Jim and the couple’s older child both were rescued.

Who was Katie Seley: Spunky, vibrant, fun-loving mom, sister, friend

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.

Like 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 January 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.”  

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.

Officials on Monday identified one of the victims in the flooding and the names of the two children still missing. Matilda Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months, were swept out of their family’s hands during a flash flood in Upper Makefield Saturday evening. Their grandmother, who was holding one of the children, was later rescued. The children’s mother, Kate Seley, 32, died in the flooding. The children’s father, Jim and the couple’s older child both were rescued.
Officials on Monday identified one of the victims in the flooding and the names of the two children still missing. Matilda Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months, were swept out of their family’s hands during a flash flood in Upper Makefield Saturday evening. Their grandmother, who was holding one of the children, was later rescued. The children’s mother, Kate Seley, 32, died in the flooding. The children’s father, Jim and the couple’s older child both were rescued.

The survivors, family members have touched hearts far and wide.

As of Wednesday, more than six dozen people had left words of hope and condolence on the Go-Fund-Me 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.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Social media offers look into South Carolina family devastated by floods