Katharine B. Roe Richland, WA

Katharine Buckingham Roe, 86, joined the heavenly angels on Sunday, August 10, 2003. Kitty, as she was affectionately known by her friends, was born in Newark, Delaware on April 29, 1917. She was the first child of Warren and Mary Buckingham. She is survived by her loving siblings Lt. Col. Ret. Warren Buckingham, Jr. of Jekyll Island, Georgia and Rebecca Straw of Newark, Delaware, and numerous nieces and nephews with whom she maintained close relations.

Kitty was educated in Delaware, graduating from Caesar Rodney High School and Goldey College. She married William S. Roe on September 3, 1938. They relocated to Washington State in 1943 when Bill transferred with DuPont to the Hanford Project.

Kitty worked in administrative support positions in the Tri-Cities, including Sharp Realty, The Tri-City Herald, Columbia Industries, and J.A. Jones Construction Company. She was active in The Richland Players for numerous years and served as the producer for many productions. She also was a scout leader, PTA volunteer, member of the Kadlec Medical Center Auxiliary, and reading tutor at her great-granddaughter’s elementary school. She has been a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Richland since 1943 and participated in the life of the church in many capacities, including outreach and serving as the Vestry Clerk for many years.

Kitty was a beautiful and fun-loving person. She enjoyed cooking and having people to her home. She loved music and loved to dance. Moving to barren Richland in the 40s, sparked Bill and Kitty to develop strong friendships with other transplanted Hanford workers. They enjoyed a very active social life with bridge games, sherry parties, dances, and summer back-yard gatherings.

Kitty was an independent woman, traveling alone to Europe in 1972 to visit her brother and attend the Olympics in Munich, Germany. She was well read and had a keen interest in current affairs.

To know Kitty, was to know that her life’s passion was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by son William S. Roe III and his wife Bonnie Richland; daughters Carolyn DeJong and her husband Lamont Gresham, Oregon; Mary Katharine Kathie Truax and her husband John Richland; and Christine Perko and her husband Larry Mission Viejo, California.

Kitty was the matriarch of the family; she was the hub of our life events. Her four kids looked forward to family vacations with Mom. One favorite spot was Ocean Park on the Washington Coast. In later years family vacations were moved to Lopez Island in the San Juans, all of us sharing one big house together. We just returned from this year’s trip one week ago, and each of us is thankful for those special memories – talking, laughing, eating crab, going to Holly B’s, riding ferries, and playing games.

A joyful spirit was always close at hand; the wonder and enjoyment of life’s pleasures are the heritage that Kitty passes to her children and grandchildren. The lucky grandchildren include: Vicki and Randy Stephens & Katharine; Richard and Laurie Devine & Andrew, Austin, Haylie, Kylie and Levi; Bill and Nancy Roe & Britni, Jessica, Julia, and Brooke; Nat and Paula Roe & Lila; Michael Hokanson; Johanna DeJong & Rustyn and Soraya; Hettie and Troy Wright & Emily and Ethan; Christopher DeJong; Stacy Truax and Dean Jones & Parker and Taylor Johnson; Nicole and Chad Foltz & Carson and Cassidy; Deanna and Joe Hanley & Finnigan; Kelly and Kevin Hutchins & Brady and MacKenzie; Tom and Cathy McCarthy & Madeline; and Matt McCarthy.

There are not enough words to described how much Kitty loved her 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren or how much they loved their “Grandma Kitty” … a name that is cherished not only by the grandchildren, but also by many of Bill, Carolyn, Kathie & Christy’s friends. Grandma Kitty aka “Grambo” to some of the kids never missed a birthday. She always made time to support sporting events, school programs, special interests, provide transportation when needed, select the perfect present, or lend a hand or caring ear. She had a special ability to make each grandchild feel unique and unconditionally loved. Grandma Kitty was so loved, the boys had an ongoing rivalry over who was her favorite grandson … a title coveted by each.

A woman of strong character and integrity, Kitty knew the best gift to give and receive is love. She adored her family, and she lived daily in the knowledge her family adored her. She often commented how grateful she was for her wonderful life. As a fulfilled and joyful woman, she began her final journey.

Kitty suffered a stroke on August 6 and passed away in the hospital on August 10 in the presence of her loving family. There will be a celebration of her life at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1322 Kimball, in Richland. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the home of Kathie & John Truax in Horn Rapids at 2836 Hawkstone Court. In lieu of flowers, Kitty requested any memorials be made to the building fund at All Saints Church