Kathleen Jean Kearns

Kathleen Jean Kearns, (Kathy) age 71, of Burien passed away Wednesday January 18, 2017 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. She was born Kathleen Daws on July 24, 1945 to Armond and Helen Daws in Bellingham, Washington.

She married the love of her life, Jack Kearns, in 1983 in Seattle. Although she had no children, Kathy was the best "Auntie" in the world to her two nieces, Kelly and Kathryn. They loved her beyond measure.

Kathy graduated from Highline High School and also attended Highline Community College. She began her working career in 1967 in a new Highline School District program creating science kits for elementary grades. Little did she know that she would go on to become the manager of this program and expand it into a highly respected program that is still used by the Highline School District as well as many other districts around the region. She retired in 2007 after 40 years.

Kathy loved the water and we never had to ask where they were going on vacation because the answer was always the same: the ocean! Their ocean adventures provided abundant material for her natural talent for captivating us all with her humor! Kathy was a vibrant personality with a true gift for hilarious storytelling. No matter the event, she has something to entertain us with. She could make us laugh until we cried, whether it was her "dumb bunny" act in the middle of a crowded train station, her crazy head gear for special events, or recounting ocean adventures like the "moldy bread" story that had us all laughing until our sides ached!

She is survived by her husband, Jack Kearns, her father, Armond Daws, her sister Linda and husband Carl Coonrod, and two nieces; Kelly Hale and Kathryn Adams.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, February 4, 2017 at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home, 804 State Ave, Marysville, WA, with a reception following at her sister's home. Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity or the Northwest Kidney Center.