Kathryn Lynn McDermott

Survived by husband of 47 years, Francis J. "Joe"; daughter Theresa Asher (John), of Ahwatukee; sons Michael, of Durham, NC, and Jeffrey (Debi), of Gilbert; and grandchildren Caetlin and Kara Asher, Alex and Abby McDermott and Sydney and Garrett McDermott; and sister Susan Lands (Todd), of Saline, MI.

Born in St. Petersburg, FL, 1967 graduate of Ann Arbor (MI) HS, attended Michigan State University where she met her future husband. They were married on Valentine's Day 1970 and lived in Pontiac, MI, moving to Tucson in June 1977. Kathy fell in love with the Southwest at once and hiked whenever and wherever possible, including a trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and a seven-day backpack through Grand Gulch Primitive Area in Utah.

Worked 28 years mostly as workroom supervisor tor Perry Design, creating custom window treatments for upscale homes all over the country and a mansion on the Isle of Man, as well as drapes in a restaurant at Casino del Sol and the Fox Theatre box office.

Really made her mark in animal rescue. Fostered dogs for 19 years, helping more than 300 abandoned puppies and dogs find permanent homes, including more than one litter of puppies that had to be bottle-fed. Also served as lead adoption counselor for SAFE, Saving Animals From Euthanasia.

The family plans a memorial gathering at a date to be determined, and suggests memorial contributions to SAFE, 3661 N. Campbell Ave. No. 220, Tucson, AZ 85719.