Kathleen O'Connell Utz passed away peacefully at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland on Wednesday, March 13th, 2013. Kathy was born in New York City on August 24, 1939. In 1959, she was one of the first female graduates from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. It was there that she found the love of her life in John Utz Jr and they joined together in holy matrimony on July 11th, 1959 in Forest Hills, New York. In the early 1960's she worked on Wall Street for Smith, Barney & Company. She always reflected fondly on that period of her career despite the challenges of being a professional woman at that time in America. Eventually, she returned to John's home state of Pennsylvania to start a family. There, she gave birth to three sons: John, James and Eric. In July 1970, the family moved to Richland and Kathy quickly discovered that she had found her perfect home . She enjoyed a rich life of community involvement with the League of Women Voters, Benton County Democrats, and her churches St. George's in Kennewick and All Saints Episcopal of Richland. In 1976, she was elected to serve four years on the Benton County Board of Commissioners. While in office, she played key roles in bringing public transportation to the Tri-Cities and the building of the Juvenile Justice Center . Beginning in 1980, she returned to the financial services industry to work for Merrill Lynch as an account executive and certified financial planner. Kathy frequently spoke highly of the many fine relationships that she developed with her many clients and coworkers.

Kathy felt blessed to have been a citizen of the Tri-Cities and the State of Washington during her active life. She enjoyed travelling to the Washington Coast, taking walks by the river and countless fine evenings with family or friends and her favorite cocktail the "Manhattan". Kathy was also proud of her MBA from the University of Washington . She was always an active learner and spent time sharing her knowledge about the US Economy and politics with the community. She taught economics at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and recently offered a series of classes through the Richland Parks and Recreation System . She had a strong sense of civic responsibility and community pride that grew proportionally with the region that she enjoyed for almost 43 years.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years John L. Utz Jr., her parents Edward and Charlotte O'Connell , two brothers Edward and Thomas and sisters Charlotte and Ellen. Surviving members of her family are John, Elmira, Audrey and Eileen Utz of Renton, WA and Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan , James, Lisa and Garrett Utz of Richland, Washington and Eric, Lisa, Mackenzie, Cameron and Zoey Utz of Florence, Oregon. Nieces ; Joyce, Jill, Moira , Michelle and Betsy and Nephews; Edward and Daniel. A memorial service and post service remembrance reception will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 23rd 2013 .

Also, please visit the online obituary memory book for Kathy located at the Einan's Funeral Home website: http://www.einansfuneralhome.com/ - we would appreciate reading your written remembrances, especially if circumstances prevent you from attending in person.