Kathleen Kreiss

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Kathleen Kreiss, 83, was born Oct. 27, 1936, to Ralph E. and Alyce C. Garrett, in Belvidere, Ill. She passed away Nov. 10, 2019. Kathy resided in Washington state from 1950, and lived in the Seattle area from 1958.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Allen E. Garrett and Roger C. Garrett; and sister-in-law, Dorothy.

Kathy is survived by  her daughters, Jennifer (Rhonda Ellis) of Seattle and Alison (Rick Stern) of Lost Prairie, Mont. Her daughters and her four grandchildren, Liam Kreiss, Mitra Shafii, Hunter Cronenwett and Chester Stern, were the greatest joy and sources of pride in her life.

The middle child of a family of educators, Kathy was a graduate of W.F. West High School in Chehalis and Western Washington University, with post-graduate work from the University of Washington. She taught English, speech and drama for many years in Edmonds School District high schools and at King’s schools in Shoreline. Kathy later worked for the Center for Human Services, coordinating support services to families at its Bitter Lake Family Center until its closure in 2003. A life-long member of Maplewood Presbyterian Church in Edmonds, Kathy served as a teacher, deacon and elder. In earlier years, she was an officer in the League of Women Voters and was active in Camp Fire. As president of the Snohomish County Foster Parents Association, Kathy was a strong advocate for the rights of children caught up in the foster care system. More than a dozen foster children were part of her family during the 70s, and animals, especially rescued shelter dogs, music and books were always important in her life.

A memorial at Maplewood Presbyterian Church and a family graveside remembrance will be held at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis at dates to be announced.