Kathleen Delores Jansen

Kathy was a loving wife of 61 years to Jim, a fiercely protective mom to Joy and James and a kind and selfless friend to those close to her.

Kathy was born to Walter and Reva Cooley in 1940 in Franklin, a small steel town in western Pennsylvania. One of seven children (4 daughters and 3 sons), Kathy was the oldest daughter and the first child in her family to attend college. Kathy received a degree in education from Edinboro State College in Edinboro, Pennsylvania and would spend more than 30 years in elementary education. Kathy retired as a beloved kindergarten teacher from Cathedral School after receiving the Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Diocese of Raleigh.

A story that encapsulates the strong, adventurous and independent spirit of Kathy is her decision to leave Pennsylvania after graduating from college. Packing her belongings into her tan Chevy Corvair, Kathy set out on the 2500-mile drive to California with a close college friend. This decision would shape the remainder of her life. It was in California that Kathy met her husband, Jim. They moved to and were married in Denver, Colorado and over the course of their 61 years together would live in 5 states along with a stint in Canada.

Kathy will be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor, bright smile and unwavering love and support for her family and friends. Words cannot express how much she will be missed by those who love her.

Kathy is survived by her husband (Jim), children Joy (Dennison) and James (Ana) and three beautiful grandchildren – all of whom had the fortune of fun memories with their grandmother. Kathy is also survived by her three sisters (Joy, Beverly, Martha) and brother (Sammy). She was preceded in death by her parents (Walter & Reva) and two brothers (Paul and John).

A celebration of life in honor of Kathy will be scheduled in August for family and friends to come together, share stories and enjoy their time together. In lieu of flowers, those interested are encouraged to make a small donation to children’s charity in memory of Kathy.