Kathleen Cokas Moore

Kathy was born Kathleen Elizabeth Cokas on December 28, 1951 in Pasadena, California to George and Lucille Cokas (Casey). The first of three children, all born within 3 years, Kathy was by default the trailblazer. Growing up in southern California, Kathy developed strong relationships with her large extended family and friends.

Kathy’s greatest pleasures in life were family, faith, and music. Family vacations and weekend outings brought everyone together to play and socialize. At Newport Harbor High School, Kathy performed with a choir touring Europe, kindling a love of music and travel. In 1969, Kathy attended Willamette College for one year to study music, following which she began working for the phone company (“Ma Bell”). It was during this time that Kathy met Claude (Bud) Willis, marrying in 1977. In 1980, Kathy gave birth to their son, Christian. She delighted in her roles as mother and wife, raising Christian in San Clemente, and later in Laguna Niguel.

In the 1980s, Kathy found her church home in San Juan Capistrano at Ocean Hills Community Church, and later at Capistrano Valley Church. She was deeply involved in many aspects of the church over the years including choir, children’s ministry, the church office, and especially the worship team. Faith and music provided Kathy the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships and lend her beautiful alto voice to several church performances and music albums.

Kathy’s love of travel and family included a visit to Greece with her father George, stepmother JoAnn, and son Christian in 1997, and a trip with her mother Lu to Italy in 2000. Her continued involvement in the church sustained her through Bud’s separation in 1997.

In 2006, Kathy met Mike Moore in Dana Point. Their chemistry was immediate, and over the next several years their bonds of love and affection grew. In 2010, they were married in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, one of Kathy’s favorite places. Throughout their marriage, Kathy and Mike enjoyed a loving and caring relationship.

In 2007, Kathy gained a daughter-in-law when her son Christian married Margret (Maggi) Welter. In 2009, they welcomed their first child, Christian Jr., and Kathy embarked on her new favorite role as a “YiaYia” (Greek for “grandmother”). She would further enjoy this role with the arrival of her granddaughter Caitlin in 2011, and her second grandson Ethan in 2014.

In 2020, Mike and Kathy decided to relocate to Colorado to be close to her son and his family.

Kathy had great loving relationships with her aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, nephew, stepmom and her extended family and friends. Her irresistible smile and style brightened every room. She is deeply missed by all who knew her.

Kathy is survived by her husband Mike Moore, son Christian (Maggi) Willis; grandchildren Christian Jr., Caitlin and Ethan Willis; and brothers Jim Cokas and Brian (Nichol) Cokas.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 30,2022, 1:00pm at:

Pacific View Memorial Park

3500 Pacific View Drive / Main Chapel

Corona del Mar, CA 92625

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Moore family.