Ms. Kathleen Mary Iness

In spite of living with the physical limitations of cerebral palsy, her indomitable spirit could not be limited. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She did it her way. Kathy started her formal education as a spunky five year old at Sunshine School, then on to Ginsburg and Hamilton Junior High. In 1986 she graduated from Hoover High School and continued on to Fresno City College where she completed her AA degree. While in a wheelchair at City College she was the author of a column in the school's newspaper called "Wheelin' for Life." Fresno State was the next step in her educational career where she lived in the dorms, which was quite a feat for the young co-ed.

Her cultural interests then led her to oil painting under the guidance of local artist Sally Seago. Her entry, a painting of a tiger, won her a blue ribbon in the Fresno County Fair. A few years after college

Kathy moved to a group home in Madera. She landed a job doing data entry at the Trophy Shop in Madera. During this period of her life she enjoyed special times with family and friends. Her adventurous spirit took her to 12,000 feet over the skies of Madera. Skydiving was her passion and she completed five wonderful jumps. She also enjoyed river rafting on the Kings and American Rivers. As the years progressed so did Kathy's complications... Her world became smaller and her physical challenges became larger. She exhibited true grit during this time and was sustained by the love and support of her family, friends and caregivers. She had a great love for them.

"Courage takes many forms. There is the physical courage, there is moral courage. Then there is a still higher type of courage, the courage to brave pain, to live with it and still find joy in life; to wake up in the morning with an enthusiasm for the day ahead." Howard Cosell "Everything can be taken away from a person but one thing--to choose one's attitude in any set of circumstances, to choose one's own way". Victor Frankl

The family would like to thank all of Kathy's angels, of whom there were many, who followed her along life's way. Those angels include Henrietta Gaither and her staff, Doctor Marconi, and Kaweah Delta Hospital.

Kathy was preceded in death by her grandparents, George and Emma Kovacevich, Irby and Elsie Iness; and her brother Michael Wayne Iness.

She is survived by her mother, Georgette Milla and her husband Bob; her father, Irby Iness and his wife Kristi; her brother, Marty Iness and his wife Jeanette; her nephew, Caleb Iness; and her niece Audra Iness.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, January 30, 2014, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Agnes Catholic Mission Church at 111 W. Birch in Pinedale 93650, on Friday, January 31, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to United Cerebral Palsy. 4224 N. Cedar, Fresno, CA 93726.