Obituary: Neeser, Kathleen Marie
Age 70
She had been waging a reasonably silent, yet serious struggle with cancer when unexpected complications took her from us in a blink.
It was too soon.
We were not ready for her to go, and now realize that we could never have been prepared for the wrenching sadness we are left to suffer without her here.
Following is just a short description celebrating some of the highlights of her well-lived life………. She was born in San Diego, CA on March 11, 1942 to Daniel and Lucille O’Connell.
After serving in WWII as an Air Force navigator, Dan moved his family to the quaint lakeside town of Coeur d’Alene, ID where Kathy enjoyed a childhood attending grade school and IHM Academy high school.
The cheerleader married her high school sweetheart, Michael Neeser, in 1962 and thus their adventure began.
The young couple moved to Moscow, ID where she welcomed the first of her eight children, Shellie and Lorie.
The new family soon moved to Pasadena, CA where along came another baby girl, named Nicole.
On to Pacoima, CA and three more little ones, Scott, David and Monica, were born.
Baby Scotty, not yet a year old, was chosen by God to be one of his angels and Kathy was forced to call upon all of her strength and faith to march through the worst kind of grief.
Every year she’d announce to whomever was near that it was his birthday; although, she never burdened any of her other children with the reminder of his death anniversary.
In 1972, Kathleen and family headed to Woodland Hills, CA where the youngest children, Daniel and Sean, completed the brood.
Kathy’s “tribe” settled in Reno, NV in 1976 where she devoted her life to her husband and children.
She loved her faith, taking care of her family, writing poetry, painting with friends, riding horses on the beach, recycling to a fault, and taking pictures, pictures and more pictures!
She got huge enjoyment from surrounding herself with recorded memories of every shape and size, valuable or not.
She also loved theatre, giving parties, the white sand beaches of Hawaii and Mexico and the smell of the ocean.
She was a Pieces, go figure.
Traveling near or abroad was a passion for her and her husband.
Kathy was especially drawn to New York City with all of its hub bub, Broadway plays, and even the relentlessly honking taxi cabs.
She relished nothing more while in the city than exploring Manhattan streets with her husband looking for that undiscovered jewel.
One of Kathy’s story staples was born of their private plane emergency landing on the rough waters of Pyramid Lake.
Thankfully everyone onboard survived the horrific destruction of the plane.
Subsequent to the accident, she took some flying lessons……….. just in case.
She had an eye for a bargain and would continuously donate her finds or show up on her kids’ doorstep with just the trinket or clothing she thought they needed.
Of all Kathy’s many talents, she was the best at connecting with people in a way that only special people can, making friends wherever she went and in an instant.
She shared herself with everyone and they couldn’t help but share back.
Kathleen Marie was a beautiful, exceptional woman and a delight to everyone lucky enough to cross her path.
Kathleen leaves behind her husband of 50 years, seven of her eight children, and seven grandchildren: Nathan, Anthony, Gregory, Hailey, Hunter, Joshua, Macy and three step-children: Jack, Madison and Nikolaos.
She has joyously been united with her first born baby son, Scotty, and the parents whom she has missed dearly since their passing only recently.
And we cannot forget “Meowser,” her cat and companion whom she spoiled rotten!
To our wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and unwavering example of faith……we will miss you every single day until we meet again.
We just know you’re having fun outlasting everyone on Heaven’s dance floor!
In lieu of flowers please donate in Kathleen’s name to Sister Carmen’s Ministry, care of Our Lady of the Snows parish.
The family invites you to share thoughts or memories in the “Book of Memories” at this website: www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com