Kathryn "Walsh" Schommer

Kathryn, familiarly known as “Washoe”, was the third of six children born to Mary and John Walsh, from Anaconda, Montana where she attended St Peter’s Elementary and Anaconda High School. Hearing the call to serve her country, she enlisted in the Woman’s Army Air Corp and earned the rank of SSgt. As part of the “Greatest Generation” she served in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Newport News, Virginia. When WWII ended she left the WAAC to marry Warren, her husband of 40 years and together they raised 2 children in Porten’s Subdivision, McHenry IL. At Transfiguration Church in Wauconda, IL, Katie was a member of the Ladies Altar and Rosary Society and the Ladies Sodality where she made many life long friends. 1967 brought a move to California where she attended St. Joachim’s and St John the Baptist’s Parishes in Costa Mesa. Throughout her life she worked in many different jobs, most recently for The Broadway Dept. stores in So California. Katie’s faith in God was strong and central in her life. She was a kind and generous person to all she met, as well as a loving wife and mother. What she loved most is laughter. Her Irish charm and sense of humor delighted her many friends and family. I believe one of her greatest joys was to produce a smile on another face. Her husband, Warren, and son, Dennis, preceded Kathryn in death. She leaves a daughter, Donna; a sister, Mary Theresa Messner; a sister-in-law, Donna Walsh; a brother-in-law, Chuck Ohms; and many nieces and nephews. Katie was loved and cared for by the Franciscan Hospice of University Place and the Evergreen Nursing Home of Tacoma, Washington. A memorial mass will be held to celebrate her life on August 9th at noon at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, 14601 A Street Tacoma, Washington. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008 Please click the link below to view video tribute: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=16168