Kathryn R. Barton's Obituary
Kathy passed away peacefully on August 21, 2009 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Tacoma on January 23, 1946 to her parents Bob and Marguerite Henderson. After graduating from Stadium High School in 1964 she attended Mr. Lee's Beauty School during which time she met her husband Charles who was stationed at Ft. Lewis. They married September 30, 1965 and Charles' job with Western Airlines relocated them to Long Beach, CA and eventually Palm Springs. In 1973 she moved back to Washington and once all her children were in school she obtained her nursing degree. She was hired at St. Josephs Hospital and had a career that spanned 28 years, the last of which were spent in the Outpatient Renal Dialysis department. Kathy was a very caring and compassionate nurse being honored as Nurse of the Year in 1985.
Kathy will be remembered for her love of her family, amazing sense of humor, sweet disposition and pure selflessness. She always thought of others first. It was not uncommon for Kathy to spend a holiday with a patient or friend so they were not alone. She would arrive on door steps carrying a bag of groceries to make someone's life a little easier or a potted plant to brighten someone's day. Kathy had a quiet presence, quick wit, down to earth common sense, and made you feel that you were the most important person in the world. To know her was to love her. Kathy enjoyed life's simple pleasures; she loved gardening, fishing, watching a good movie with a friend, taking a drive in the country, enjoying a good cup of coffee and belly laughs.
Kathy loved the Lord and was baptized in 1975. Through the years she diligently studied God's word and graduated from many Bible Study Fellowship groups. Kathy was well loved and will be sorely missed by so many.
She is survived by her husband, Charles, children: Laura (Steve) McConnell, Steven (Brandy) Barton and Jenni (Corey) Cosentino, beautiful grandchildren: Sawyer, Bailey and Brandt, brother: Dave Henderson, sister: Marilyn (Ed) Moisio, mother-in-law: Dolores Ryan and sister-in-laws: Teri Gallagher and Diana Bell along with several nieces and nephews who truly adored her. She will also be missed greatly by her best friend of 50 years Jody McConnell, her -Å"other- daughters Kara and Amie, great girlfriends Ellen, Caroline and Wendy, her many friends from St Joseph's, church and her beloved cat, Zoom.
An open house Celebration of Life will be held at the home of Ed and Marilyn Moisio on Saturday between 4pm-7pm at 8432 South 16th, Tacoma, WA 98465 (near Titlow Beach). In lieu of flowers you can make a contribution to El Shaddai ministries,
Franciscan Hospice House or the Humane Society. Please sign the online guest book and share your memories of the woman we loved so much.
Many thanks to the staff at the Franciscan Hospice House for the great care as well as the cards, prayers and well-wishes from her many friends and loved ones. Your love and support has helped us through this difficult time.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathryn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathryn?
Share a story where Kathryn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathryn you’ll never forget.
How did Kathryn make you smile?