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Obituaries

Died Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at her daughter’s home in Chelsea. Kathleen was born October 12, 1927, in San Francisco, CA, the daughter of Clarence & Catherine ‘Kitty’ Hanlon, and lived most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Survivors include six children: Dennis, Nancy (William) Harris, John, Kathleen (Dennis) King-Reeves, Richard (Kelly), and Matthew (Marli); 7 grandchildren, Charlene, Elizabeth  (Bret),  Katrina, Veronica, Kelsey, Shannon, and Spencer, and 2 great-grandchildren, Hayley and Ryan.

Kathleen (Kate) graduated from St. John Ursuline of San Francisco. In 1947, she married Spencer A. King in Sonoma, CA. She worked with him at their King Insurance Agency in Los Altos until he passed away in April, 1986. She then worked in the Parks Department of the County of Santa Clara until she retired. Kate loved family activities with her 6 children and provided childcare for two of her grandchildren, Shannon and Spencer, for many years.  She also loved animals, particularly small dogs, and always had a pet. In her fifties, she took horseback riding lessons with Dennis and Nancy at Foothill College. Kathleen enjoyed talking to, feeding, and grooming the horses more than riding the horses themselves. She treasured her trips to Disneyland, Hawaii, and Ireland with her family. Kate loved her Irish ancestry and Celtic music. She kept informed about local and national politics and loved to banter about the most current local and national issues. She enjoyed old movies, murder mysteries, and the outdoors.


A Mass was said in her memory.  Kate will be buried with her  husband, her parents, and other family members at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.  On October 12th, (Kate's birthdate), family members will meet in San Francisco to visit  a few of Kate’s favorite spots, including walking across the Golden Gate Bridge which Kate did as a child on the opening of the bridge. Nancy & William Harris will hold an Irish wake in celebration of her life at their Chelsea home at noon on September 13th which will follow a requiem service at St. Barnabas Church, Chelsea at 10:00 a.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society or to Hearts Community Service (at which she volunteered). Arrangements were by Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.