Katherine Ann Adair

Katherine Ann Adair left this world Thursday morning, February 26, 2026, and entered an eternal celebration of praise, feasting, and joy. And if you knew Kathy, you know that she is fitting right in. She was 86.

Kathy was born to Raymond and Margaret Yawman on November 8, 1939, in Albany, CA, and baptized on January 23, 1940, at Saint Augustine Catholic church in Berkeley. She was big sister to her brother, Michael, and graduated from Whittier High School.

Kathy met the love of her life, Lane Adair, in 1958 while he was employed by his father hauling gas over the Tioga Pass, and she worked for her parents at their Tioga Pass Resort. They married in 1960 and eventually moved south, settling in El Toro, California, where they raised four children, Charlie, Maggie, Mike and Christy. Her fourth child, Timothy, died in infancy.

A devoted wife and mother, Kathy attended baseball games, swim meets, color guard performances, and dance recitals, just to name a few. From summers spent on the beaches of San Clemente and Laguna to camping in the high Sierras and every state and national park in-between, Kathy was there for it all - packing endless lunches and creating amazing meals on camp stoves.

Kathy and Lane combined to make an impressive and productive crafting duo. They were members of the Lake Forest Hand Maidens, a group of crafters who sold their creations at boutiques held annually. Kathy tole-painted the wooden shapes Lane cut out in his workshop, creating wonderful ornaments and other decorative gifts. The money they earned went toward family vacations and Christmas gifts.

As members of the Ramblin’ Rogues, Kathy and Lane square danced their way into more memorable moments and friendships, picking up one of the family’s favorite card games along the way, Peanuts. They also teamed up to design and build their retirement dream home in Big Bear – a time that Kathy described as the “best years of my life”.

Always looking for ways to serve, Kathy and Lane were members of SOWERS (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready), an organization of skilled retiree RVers assigned to various remote building projects. Kathy was also very active at her church, Gateway Church of the Nazarene, helping to count and deposit the offering every Monday, writing cards to the sick, and hosting a home Bible study – the myriad of mugs in her house is a testament to her hospitality!

Kathy also doted on her grands and great-grands, attending sporting events, hosting celebrations and displaying her skills as one of the world’s premiere shoppers. How she flawlessly bought correct sizes for growing children we still cannot figure out.

As the consummate host, Kathy was only truly happy when her guests were having a good time. She made her home in Murrieta an oasis, where guests felt instantly welcomed and refreshed by good conversation, great food and maybe a dip in the pool.

Kathy may have appeared simply as a busy Martha – concerned with preparations and pulling off the perfect gathering. But if you knew her at all, you knew she was also a devoted Mary. Her last days were filled with sitting at her Master’s feet, soaking up His promises, His love and His care, trusting in Him and wanting so desperately to see Him face-to-face. We will miss her humor, her heart and her love – but only for a short while. We grieve, but not as those without hope.

This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24