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Katherine Virginia Kinney
10/14/1918 — 08/20/2008
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Boise, Idaho
Katherine Virginia Kinney
A TRIBUTE Katherine Kinney: Always beautiful, forever a lady, spunky, warm and funny. You charmed us with your grace, wit and, . . . most of all . . . your love.
HER LIFE Born in Boise, Idaho on October 14, 1918 to Jess and Pearl Hilty, Katherine shared an active life with her older brothers Gerald and Ed, younger sister Dorothy and their dog "Sport". She learned to dance in grade school, amazing all with her grace and limberness. In Payette High School, participation in plays and operettas, gave her much joy and happiness. After High School, she became a respected sales clerk for McKay's Variety Store. In 1938, the owner's wife, Mae McKay arranged a party specifically to introduce Katherine to Tom McKay's cousin Harry Kinney. Harry's smile and friendly nature not to forget his good looks won her heart. They were engaged a month later and were married for over 60 years until Harry's passing in 2000.
Early married life, included a special time in which Harry worked for Mountain States Telephone Co. They were part of a group of 350+ people moving into small towns in Idaho, installing telephone lines and new phone systems. Katherine & Harry enjoyed many parties, picnics and socials in which Katherine's world class potato salad was born.
In Mountain Home, Idaho, Katherine and Harry met their biggest sorrow when their first born son Harry Gene, drowned at the age of two years. With strength and courage, they began a new family with daughter Susan, three years later, Kathleen and five years later, Claudia. They lived in Sunnyside, Washington for a few years, moving to Richland in 1951. Harry was manager of the new McKay's Variety Store. Eventually, Harry and Homer Spencer formed the Spencer-Kinney Insurance and Real Estate Agency.
Katherine lovingly devoted her life to her husband and family. She created a beautiful home where friends and family were always welcome. From her kitchen came delicious meals and scrumptious cookies, cakes and pies. She participated in school activities, saying "yes" whenever her children volunteered her. Holidays and birthdays were always celebrated in style.
She was an active member in Kadlec Hospital Auxilary, Rotary-Anns, Richland Garden Club and Eastern Star. She was a member of West Side Presbyterian Church in Richland for 30 years, eventually becoming a deacon as well as the Wedding Consultant. She loved helping bride's families with various details in creating a wedding. Later, Katherine was an active member of Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great joy and many happy times. Her love was endless.
THANK YOU The family would like to thank the members of West Side Church and Meadow Springs Church for their prayers and support. Katherine's last few years living at Charbonneau were happy ones. We thank all residents and staff for creating a gracious new home. Lastly, we thank the staff at Richland Rehab. We all felt your love and respect for Mom. We appreciate your compassionate care tremendously.
TO KATHERINE --- A FAMILY BLESSING In our minds, you are surrounded by God's love, walking once again with a happy and peaceful heart. You are in the arms of your sweetheart, family and friends. They have been waiting to welcome you. We say good-bye for now, knowing you will continue to live in our hearts and memories forever.
THE FAMILY Survivors include daughter Susan and husband Davidson Wood; daughter Kathleen and husband Peter Mantle; and daughter Claudia Kinney. There are four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Other survivors are sister Dorothy Denning and her husband Harlan and their children the Denning and Esparza families; sister-in-law Leta Hilty and sons; sister-in-law Violetta Hilty and cousin Shirley Durkheimer and her husband Bill. On the Kinney side, survivors are the Kinney nieces and the McKay cousins. Previously deceased include husband Harry Kinney; son Harry Gene; brothers Gerald and Ed Hilty; brothers in-law Bill Kinney, and Fred Kinney and his wife Glenna.
SERVICE INFORMATION Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Einan's Funeral Home, Richland, WA. Graveside services will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Memorial contributions may be made in Katherine's name to The Neurological Resource Center, 712 Swift Blvd. Ste. #1, Richland, WA 99352.
I remember Katherine as a strong woman with unfailing syle, moral values and absolute class. She put her children and family first. I will always remember the twinkle in her eye.
Several months ago while leaving Eagle with my yellow lab dog Teddy, I was approached by the daughter of Katherine who lives in Seattle and asked if I would pay a visit to her mother Catherine who was a patient in Eagle.
Teddy and I have had the luck and pleasure of visiting Catherine about evey week over the past several months. She was a very special and kind person who loved and always talked about her family. I was often requested to see pictures of Harry and her family. She always had a thank you for us visiting her. God Bless Her
Susan and Davidson,
We would like to express our sincere sympathies at the loss of your mother. We wish you peace and God’s comfort at this time.
With Love, Jerry and Michele
To the family,
Katherine was a very kind and gentle person and we are happy that our lives paths crossed. We will treasure our memories of Katherine and keep her forever in our hearts.
Sharing your loss,
Harry Kinney and Tom McKay, my Dad, were cousins. Kathleen and I were born in Sunnyside, WA and were only 3 months apart in age. I remember seeing pictures of us in a crib together and pictures of my Mother Elsa Mae McKay and Katherine; both beautiful young mothers.
My next remembrance is as grade school kids. Kathleen and I would spend a week or so at her house during the summer. When we were at Kathleenâs house in Richland, Katherine was my Mom; she directed our activities, we walked to the swimming pool, the local drug store for candy and cold treats in the hot summer sun and played in the back yard running through the sprinklers. I idolized the older sister, Susan, as she was so much more grown up and playing with little Claudia … I had no sisters; just a dumb olâ older brother and he just did boy stuff.
Katherine always made me feel so welcome and part of the family. I was always impressed at her self-assurance as a mother and patience as a care taker. The house was always spotless, attractive and warm. I remember the smells of the yummy food that wafted from Katherineâs kitchen and how she showered us with homemade treats with lots of love.
As an adult, I would receive a hand written Christmas card with a newsy letter about the family that was so important to her. At Katherineâs 80th birthday we enjoyed browsing through the voluminous pages of the scrap books she so painstakingly made for her daughters; remembering the good old days of growing up.
Over the years we came in and out of one anotherâs lives at family celebrations, birthdays and unfortunately funerals as member passed. My only regret is that we did not see one another more often as years raced by.
I will miss her,
Cousin JoAda McKay Wickern
Susan and Davidson;
My deepest condolences to you for the loss of Susan’s dear mother. She was always gracious and kind, and I have fond memories of visits to Susan’s family with Katherine presiding as a dozen or so young college kids had informal Christmas party at the Kinney home. May your family find comfort in your memories of a lovely woman.
Guestbook for
Katherine Virginia Kinney