Kathleen "Kathy" Cummins

March 14, 1966 – January 28, 2026

Kathy Cummins — beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend — left this world, taking with her a warm and loving spirit that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Kathleen Cummins was born on March 14, 1966 in Bronx, NY, the third of four children born to Louise and John Melican. Her early years were marked by adventure as her father's career in the oil industry took the family from New York to Atlanta and Chicago, before they finally settled in Northridge, CA in December 1972. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Kathy was shaped by her Catholic education, attending St. Euphrasia for elementary school before attending Louisville, the all-girls Catholic high school, from which she graduated in 1984. Kathy first met Jeff Cummins during a Crespi Varsity football game in the fall of their freshman year. They were friends throughout high school but their paths would not intertwine until 5 years later.

Kathy followed her two older brothers, John and Terry, to the University of San Diego and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After graduating, Kathy became a paralegal and started her career in San Diego while living with her older brother John and a mutual college friend. On a September weekend in 1989, she attended the UCLA vs San Diego State football game in San Diego with a group of friends from Louisville and Crespi. It was that weekend when she reconnected with Jeff after they had both been away at college. Soon after, Jeff asked her out on a date and the two began spending their weekends together, traveling between Hermosa Beach where Jeff lived and Cardiff by the Sea where Kathy lived. In May 1991, Jeff proposed to Kathy in Dana Point. On August 8, 1992, the two married at Founders Chapel on the University of San Diego campus-a place that remained dear to her heart. Their married life began in Huntington Beach as they continued their careers, but San Diego was always where they wanted to live. Within a few years, they moved to San Diego and built a beautiful life together.

In December 1999, Kathleen became a mother to a beautiful boy named Ryan, which was her mother’s maiden name and the name she had always wanted for her first son since her childhood. Three years later, in February 2003, with the "help" from her Mom who had passed a year earlier, Kathy gave birth to a gorgeous girl, whom she named Caroline after Jeff’s Great-Grandma. Having grown up in a Catholic family, Kathy wanted the same for her children and so the family became part of the St. John the Evangelist community, where the children attended school through eighth grade. She enjoyed volunteering for all the school events and especially loved being a class volunteer for both Ryan and Caroline throughout their years at St. John's. It was here that she formed many lifelong friendships, sharing her infectious laugh, extraordinary kindness, and nurturing spirit with everyone creating memories to be treasured forever. Kathy was her children's greatest champion-always ready with a listening ear, thoughtful advice, and a warm embrace. She cherished every moment of motherhood and delighted in the adventures they shared together.

For fourteen years, Kathy worked as a contract administrator with DataQuick and ATTOM Data, but her most cherished moments were with her family. Whether it was a Sunday night dinner, or trips to New York, Portland, and Michigan, Kathy loved nothing more than being with extended family and friends around the table, creating memories to be treasured forever. Cooking for her family, attending her niece’s & nephew’s sporting events, and celebrating milestones like First Communions are just a few of these joyful moments. Most recently, she and Jeff celebrated 33 years of marriage in August 2025- a true testament to their enduring love.

Kathy is survived by her adoring husband Jeff; beloved children, Ryan and Caroline; brothers John Melican (Kathy) and Terry Melican (Claudine); sister, Tricia McInnis (Terry); and 15 precious nieces and nephews – Molly (Hunter), Jack, Maggie, Kate, Annabelle, Madeline, Owen, Abby, Ethan, Sean, Teia, Anya, Elli, Griffin, and Thisbe. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Louise Melican. Though her journey ended far too soon, Kathy leaves a legacy of love that will continue to guide and comfort everyone who was blessed to know her.