Kathryn”Kathy” May Kowalski

Kathryn “Kathy” May Kowalski

68-years old

From Michigan City, Indiana, resided in Gilbert, AZ

July 8, 1949 – August 13, 2017 (11:10PM)

Official records state Kathryn was born in Michigan City, Indiana on July 8, 1949. But “official” records only provide a framework for the immeasurable truth of her life and times. For Kathy today, as ever, is eternal — Everlasting.

The reality of the daughter, sister (Sissy), mother (Mom), grandmother (Gramma), friend, writer, poet and inspiration we call Kathy is much more than dates and locations on a map. Her life and the lives she touched, the roads she traveled, the beaches she walked, are a map tracking adventures both known and unknown — an incredible journey through this universe, on this rock we call home, through this precious existence we call life.

Kathy’s time here with us is etched in hearts and minds and smiles and memories made — from the small streets of Michigan City and Tempe, Az to the wide, sandy beaches of Mexico, from Zurich to Singapore to Phuket and Hong Kong, from London to Indonesia and Hawaii to Wrigley Field and countless big cities and sunny beaches in-between and all around. Kathy knew the world. And the world knew Kathy. And both were better for it.

Raised by a badass school bus driver (Sarah May Kowalski) and a cock fightin’, tractor-drivin’ sonuvagun (Raymond Kowalski), along with her rabble-rousing, firecracker-poppin’ brothers, Raymond and Randy, Kathy loved the beach, beer, travel, Arizona Cardinals football (not always the easiest thing to love), Chicago Cubs baseball (ditto, but how about that World Series!?), Stephen King books (all books!), the Beatles (especially George!), her family and friends.

Kathy was preceded on her latest adventure by her loving parents and, years earlier (and decades far too soon), by a young warrior, fighter, ‘coon-skin-capped pioneer whose given name, Timothy Goff, was simply a cover for a child brighter than the stars.

Her legacy is cemented in those closest to Kathy, brothers Ray and Randy, and her three children —

Ex-teacher-turned-special-operations-insurance-detective, Melissa (Missy) Anne Reid, was the first and, by some accounts, which are currently impossible to refute, the brightest of Kathy’s children. In addition to being there for every moment good, bad and in-between, Melissa brought into Kathy’s life an amazing son-in-law, Andrew (Andy) Reid (AKA the infamous Andy Dunkin). Together, Melissa and Andy gave Kathy three wonderfully creative grandchildren. Molly, Makenna and Brody Reid were constant lights upon Kathy’s heart and soul — they filled her with love and happiness, hope and joy.

Brett (Rusty) Allen Goff, the quick-witted, sweet-toothed lawman with a passion for cycling and great taste in music (including an odd obsession with the specificity of his playlists) was Kathy’s firstborn son. Brett gave Kathy three incredible grandchildren – Catherine, Christian and Amelia brought such pride and happiness to their grandmother. Catherine for her courage, Christian for his gentle heart and Amelia for her pure joy and promise of a future filled with curiosity and a touch of sass.

Some would look upon a small redheaded child with a Twinkie box for a crown and his “blanky” tied like a cape as he ate sugar cereals and devoured cartoons and comic books and see a future in danger of wasting away to daydreams and impossible hopes. Not Kathy. Instead, in Jonathan (Jon) David Goff, her youngest, dorkiest son, she saw an artist and dreamer worth encouraging – at every step, in endless ways both large and small.

These three children-turned adults, raised and loved by Kathy in possibly equal measure (though Melissa is confident – and probably right – that she edged out the two doofuses by a slight margin) miss their mother. As do their children, spouses, and friends (and Scrappy! – her canine sidekick). As do, her brothers. As does everyone. Because whether you know it or not, she single-handedly thwarted the Third Invasion of the Techno-Gorgon Ama’Rath and his Army of Doomcatchers just four-years ago while sitting on a Mexican beach, drinking a cold beer. So, raise a toast, crack a smile, because without Kathryn we’d all be foodstuff for alien world-enders.

In lieu of flowers, please take a moment to reflect – live a better life, be kinder, smile more, hold the door, use your turn signal, go the beach, listen to good music, tell your friends, family, pets and most importantly, your mother, that you love them!