Kathereine Jones Starr

Was a spirited, generous, and courageous woman of uncommon fortitude. She succumbed peacefully to her final encounter on May 31, 2016 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was surrounded during her final days and weeks by family and friends administering care, loving massages, and sharing eventful stories of Katherine's varied and adventured life. Kathy attracted friendships wherever she went; once met, she was never forgotten. She was a soul of coalescence. Katherine was born In Pensacola, FL on December 19, 1942, to Arthur E and Susan M Jones, joining 4 1/2 year old brother Gifford. By the end of WWII, the young family was living in Fresno, CA where brother Allen was born in 1946. Katherine moved with her family to Santa Monica, then to Palos Verdes where she attended Malaga Cove Elementary school then Narbonne High. Kathy was a woman of many talents and occupations, always widely admired and respected in whatever she chose to do. Her informal education in art began with helping her parents make linoleum block Christmas cards as a child and making jewelry and sculptures out of shells and objects found on the beach of the family summer home in Maine. Kathy followed her older brother to UCSB in the early 1960's where she studied Art then majored in Art and Psychology at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. She graduated with a teaching credential in Secondary Education then taught Art at Nampa Jr High. Returning to school at Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo in the late 70's, she earned her Masters Degree in Education where she discovered another passion from her independent study in watercolor. For many years afterward, she shared a demanding schedule in real estate sales and property management along with her passion for art and watercolor. She served as Treasurer of the Los Padres Watercolor Association, was a member of the Santa Barbara Art Association, and Scape. She had been a long time member of the Goleta Valley Art Association, serving as Board Director in 2005 and 2013, Vice President in 2011, and GVAA President in 2012. Her paintings hang in many of the local galleries and in private homes from Santa Barbara to Seattle. Kathy was a tireless health advocate for those she loved, including her aging parents and several close friends before they passed. She lost her younger brother Allen (Cheryl), to cancer in 2012, but is survived by her husband Sherman Starr, favorite Black Lab "Grover", brother Gifford Jones (Mary), sister-in-law Cheryl, nephews Aaron and Matthew, niece Heather, step-daughter Gabrielle (Jay), 7 grand-nieces and nephews plus numerous other relatives from both coasts, England and France. Friends and family are invited to a public viewing on Saturday, June 4 from 1 to 4 pm at Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel, 15 East Sola Street. A private burial service for family only will be held on Monday. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to a favorite charity in Katherine's name. Beloved Katherine, Though you have gone away, We look forward to being with you Again someday. Our paths sadly diverged but sun and sea return, And so shall we most happily. For Love is strong, faith shows the way. We embrace your being, And yearn for that day

Kathereine Jones Starr

December 19, 1942 - May 31, 2016