Kathryn Virginia Stone

Kathy was born to Joseph and Katharine McDowell in Taylor, Texas on October 13, 1937. She passed away on October 31, 2023 in Boerne, Texas at the age of 86. She is survived by her sister, Betty Helmer; step-daughters Lauren Stone and Lisa Stone Mattson (Kurt Zermuehlen); step-grandchildren Ashley (Dillon) VanHyfte, Rachel (Zach) McCance, and Ben Barosh; four great-grandchildren; nephew and wife, Todd and Andrea Helmer; and great-niece and -nephew, Macy and Wesley Helmer.

Kathy graduated from Jefferson High School in San Antonio in 1955 where she was a Captain for the world-famous Lassos and VP of the Student Council. She graduated from Trinity University with a major in Piano Performance. She then attended graduate school at the University of Texas majoring in Music Theory and Composition. At both Trinity and UT, she loved teaching piano to young students, especially children.

After college, Kathy married and moved to Massachusetts for a few years. She sang in the church choir and traveled with the group throughout New England before moving to Denton, Texas. She later moved back to San Antonio where she met J. Lawton Stone, her divorce attorney. It was love at first sight for him and she finally agreed to a date. Even though J. was an alcoholic, Kathy saw the good in him and helped him through a rehab program. Kathy truly saved his life and he never took another drink. They married in 1975 and had a marriage full of love and thoughtfulness anyone would envy. His law practice thrived and Kathy was his legal secretary. They enjoyed building a home in Mission Trace, having season tickets to UT football games (for him) and The Majestic Theater (for her), taking trips to Europe and Puerta Vallarta, and just being together. It was almost a competition as to who could spoil the other the most! They had many happy years of marriage until J. passed away unexpectedly in 2005.

Kathy stayed very active. She became a docent of the McNay Art Museum and served for nine years. She also read books and told stories to first graders at Northwood Elementary School, where her sister taught. Her greatest joy was working with children as she was delighted by their curiosity and wonder when learning new things.

Kathy enjoyed being with her many friends in the San Antonio area – playing tennis, going to book club, playing bridge (she liked the comradery more than the game), attending plays and musical events, eating at favorite restaurants, and celebrating birthdays and special occasions. She loved to learn and was fascinated by physics and the universe, hoping one day to go to Mars. Her biggest loves in life were J., chocolate, shopping, her cats, beautiful clothes, and her special dog, Derek Jeter, who was of great comfort to her in her last years.

She lived her last two years at Cibolo House Memory Care in Boerne. The family wants to thank the staff, nurses, and Alamo Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion they gave to Kathy.