Katherine Lenore Aldridge's Obituary
Katherine Lenore Aldridge, age 79, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 with her family by her side.
Kathy was born in Vancouver, WA on November 5, 1943 to Wilbur and Meda White.
She attended Fort Vancouver High School where she would meet her future husband, Russell. Through a bit of trickery on his part and forgetting her name she still agreed to a first date, their homecoming dance. The two married November 9, 1962. Over the next 60 years they lived in Vancouver, Longview, Steilacoom, Lakewood and recently Bonney Lake. They enjoyed a respectful & playful marriage. A morning ritual was a kiss before work. On occasion Kathy would forget and Russ would ask “are you forgetting something?” with her sheepish laugh Kathy would give him a big kiss & the work day could begin. Outside of Russ, her passion was her three children (Pam, Kevin and Jenny).
In the early years of her marriage, she worked as a ward clerk for the local hospital in Vancouver. After moving to Steilacoom, she decided to go back to work as long as she could work evenings and/or weekends. It was important either her or Russ to be with the children. Russ found the perfect job for her at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital where she worked for the next 25+ years. Again, as a ward clerk, then in the Poison Control Center. When Poison Control moved to Seattle, Kathy moved into the new department of Child Safety. She was
extremely proud of the car seat program, where she became a primary resource technician for Pierce, South King and Kitsap Counties. Kathy was certified by NHTSA as a Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor and was one of three certified instructors for the state of Washington.
As a certified NHTSA instructor, she taught workshops for medical/hospital staff, first responders and community members. As car seat laws evolved, she played an essential part in developing policy for MultiCare and as a resource for other hospitals. Kathy was also honored as an “integral part of the foundation of child passenger safety for Washington State”.
Kathy’s family always came first, she made time for each child, grandchild and great grandchild, she attended countless sporting events & recitals. Trips to the Washington and Oregon Coasts, Hawaii, Europe and Mexico were treasured favorites, especially when family was involved.
Kathy will be remembered for her sweet disposition, her strong will and her fierce love and support of her family.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Russ. Her three children, Pam (Mike) Cantalini; Kevin (Diane) Aldridge; and Jenny Anderson. Kathy is also survived by her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Kyle (Molly) Cantalini; Sean (Erin) Cantalini; Ryan Cantalini, Ashley and Amy Aldridge; and Juliana and Luca Cantalini. Her sister’s Loretta Gomez and Debby (Don) Jackman, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Meda and sister Virginia Larson.
A memorial will be held Thursday, September 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA. Reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers a donation to The Arbor, Memory Care facility, that cared so generously for Kathy would be appreciated. Please specify Tehaleh-Arbor-Aldridge through Wesley Community Foundation. Wesley at Tehaleh, 17702 Cascadia Blvd E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391, Attn: The Arbor
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