Kathleen Williams Vordos

1936-2017

Kathleen Williams Vordos, age 81, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2017, surrounded by her family, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born on July 13, 1936, to Edna Christiansen Gourley and Lee M. Gourley, in her grandmother's brass bed at home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Raised by her father William L. Williams and her mother, Edna, she learned the values of hard work and love for family. She married Lee P. Vordos on November 15, 1959, and is the mother of 3 children, Steven, Michelle, and Kenneth. She was later divorced.

Kathy was a mother to everyone who needed one, always willing to lend a listening ear and offer advice as needed, but only when asked for. She was willing to accept everyone, no matter their circumstances or interests in life. She loved animals and could spot a lost dog a mile away. We often had makeshift beds in our garage until owners could be found. She spent countless hours volunteering throughout her life. She enjoyed her time as a docent at Hogle Zoo, a pink lady at St. Mark's Hospital, working in the PTA, as a den mother for the Boy Scouts of America, and especially enjoyed her time as Wagonmaster for the Rolling Phones RV Club. She enjoyed traveling in her motorhome and camping in various locations with this group. She worked as a customer service rep for US West Communications for over 25 years earning many awards and recognitions from her company and customers until she retired. She was a lover of art and all cultures and had a special fascination with the Indian culture. She enjoyed creating bead work, painting, making personalized greeting cards for her grandchildren, beautiful stained glass artwork, dolls, and embroidery, to name a few. She also loved to belly dance, bowl, and fish. She was a woman of many interests, but nothing meant as much to her as her family and close friends.

Kathleen is survived by her children Michelle (Jon) Ware of Hooper and Ken (Darcy) Vordos of West Jordan; brothers Elliott (Stephanie) Williams of Salt Lake and Robert (Sue)Williams of Pleasant Grove; grandchildren Jeff (Andrea) Hales, Brendon Hales, Rebekah (Jayson) Shupe, Thomas Ware, Elliott (Kiara) Ware, Melissa Ware, Zoe Vordos, and Kalista Vordos, as well as 5 great-grandsons Kayden, Cooper, Zakkery, Jaxus, and Rayce.

Preceded in death by her son, Steven Vordos, parents William L. and Edna Williams, brother Ed Williams, and great-granddaughter Raegan Ware.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, August 16, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, with a graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hogle Zoo would be appreciated.

Our family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their oustanding care of our mother throughout her journey, as well as the people at Sunsrise Assisted Living and CNS Hospice for their exceptional care and loving support during our mother's last days.