Kathryn 'Kathy' Dowd

Katheryn (Kathy) Shaw Dowd passed away peacefully at her home in Chehalis, surrounded by love, on January 11, 2018. She had recently celebrated her 92nd birthday, after holidays shared with all her children and grandchildren. Born in Oxford Mississippi, Kathy’s sense of adventure led her to take a teaching position in the small town of Chewelah in eastern Washington. There she met a handsome young soil conservationist named Lee while taking the bus to Spokane for Christmas shopping. Neglecting to get her name, Lee came to the boarding house a few days later to ask after “that Southern teacher.” The Southern teacher and the conservationist were married some months later and soon after started growing their family. In the 1950s, the family moved to Chehalis following Lee’s promotion. Kathy accepted a position teaching at Green Hill School and began working with resident students who were often behind their age groups in reading and math skills. Her caring and upfront manner helped her connect with many of the young men she taught. In addition, in the 1970s, Lee and Kathy began taking in short term foster children, providing brief respite for more than 300 teenagers. In later years, Kathy spent many hours involved with her church community, volunteering with hospice services, and joyfully embracing storytelling. She could spend hours listening to the tales of others and spinning a few of her own. Through all the trials, tribulations, and adventures life brought to her, she always considered herself blessed. “You can’t even believe anybody has it as good as I do,” she told the Chronicle in February 2017. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Lee W. Dowd, and her five siblings, Frances, Anna Brooke, Oliver, Maynard, and Aldridge. She is survived by her children, Lee, Sharon, and Leanne, as well as many well-loved extended family members. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chehalis, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathy’s name may be made to Assured Hospice or Westminster Presbyterian. The family would also like to express their deep appreciation for the care our mother received from the staff at Help at Home Senior Services.

 Service Information