She is well known for her long career as an attorney in Fresno, CA, working for Bennett, Ostroff & Capozzi immediately out of law school. She later joined forces with Paul Hinkly and John Suhr to form Hinkly, Suhr & Coolidge, and made her mark at other distinguished firms in town. Katherine rounded out her career with Wells Fargo, and most recently served as Vice President Wealth Planning Strategist.
Katherine was born in Mitchell, SD, on November 22, 1948. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, where her love of stories and poetry flourished. Shortly after, Katherine made her way to California, where she earned her law degree from San Joaquin College of Law in 1979. Katherine loved a good book, and enjoyed getting carried away in mysteries. She often could be found listening to audio books while gardening, her greatest passion. Friends and neighbors were enchanted by her front yard, an oasis of flowers, ornaments and twinkling Christmas lights that sparkled all year long. Katherine will be remembered for her loyalty and generosity, treating friends and loved ones to dinners and good wine at The Lime Lite, her favorite restaurant. Most of all, Katherine will be remembered for her tenacity, which shined through upon her diagnosis. She fought tirelessly during months of chemotherapy, and celebrated every test or scan that delivered good news. Despite her prognosis, she maintained her sense of humor through it all, from donning a bright blue wig to joking that the "Hope" sign in the exam room should be replaced by another four-letter word. She will be missed by longtime friends, colleagues, and her three cats, Harry, Baby and Spooky.
Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Patricia Coolidge; and her dear friends, Philip Norgaard, and Steven Stavlo.
She is survived by her only child, Andrew Riggs; and daughter-in-law, Katrina Riggs.
The couple thanks the oncology department and the palliative care team at Kaiser Permanente, and Hinds Hospice. They also wish to thank Katrina's parents, Katherine's friends, and her caregivers for providing comfort in her final days.
A Memorial Service will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Valley Animal Center; or Spectrum Art Gallery. - See more at:
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