Kathy M Reed

Never miss an opportunity – to take an adventure, to be kind, to say I love you. This is how Kathy Marlene Reed of Hot Springs, Arkansas, lived her life right up till her passing on September 29, 2023.

Kathy was born 2/23/1948 in East Liverpool, OH, to Tom and Mildred Miller. Just around the corner was a little boy who would one day become her husband. One of her best friends was future sister-in-law, Debi Lau (Reed). Little did Kathy know that Debi’s annoying big brother would be the love of her life.

She married Jeff Reed on July 3, 1965, and they soon headed to Fontana, and then to Rialto, California. Kathy finished her high school diploma there and went to work for the Rialto School District Nutrition Services. She started as a substitute cashier and retired 30 years later as a manager. She was known for her positive attitude and willingness to help others be their best.

After spending her 60th birthday skydiving, her retirement was interrupted by a breast cancer diagnosis. Kathy and Jeff had all their belongings packed in a moving truck and were about to realize their dream of moving to Hot Springs, Arkansas when the news came in January 2009. They pulled out a table, a bed and a few other items and sent the truck ahead, hoping to follow shortly.

After extensive treatment and trips back and forth, Kathy enjoyed remission and they started living the lake life. In Hot Springs she was involved in the Women’s Welcome Club where she was active in several roles and projects, including sewing stuffed animals for distribution to local police, fire and hospitals for providing to kids in traumatic situations. With Friends of the Garland County Library, she enjoyed helping with the annual book sale, and served on committees and leadership roles. She helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity as part of the Heels to Hammers project. She also volunteered her time and donated regularly to Jackson House, an inclusive community crisis center. One of her favorite pastimes was getting together with several card groups, and her favorite bunco clubs – the Bunco Babes and Dicey Dames!

One of her favorite causes was serving as a “jail bird” for the annual “Doing Time for the Kids” fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The effort was put on by the local Zeta Chi chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and Kathy was often one of the top fundraisers (along with fellow “jail bird” Kathy Nichols – Team Kathy!)

Her commitment to giving back really started with the passing of her daughter Kimberly Baker at the age of 29 to leukemia. Raising money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life became a major part of the Reed family life, sponsoring the “Spunky Baker’s Money Makers” team. Through giant yard sales, raffles and other creative fundraisers, the team raised an estimated $120,000 over the course of several years, through the Fontana/Rialto Relay for Life, and later participating in the Hot Springs event.

She and Jeff loved to travel, visiting all 50 states, and taking regular road trips to see the sights. Multiple cruises and Hawaii were some of their favorites, as well as an annual houseboat trip to Lake Powell for 25 years.

When Kathy’s cancer came back in 2017, her motto of “Never miss an opportunity!” took on even greater importance. Despite the pandemic, Jeff and Kathy fit a lot of adventure into those years. Of special significance was an Alaskan cruise and train trip in 2019, where they, along with daughter Susie and son-in-law John, were able to see Denali in full splendor, uninterrupted by clouds for almost 48 hours. Then in 2022, the foursome embarked on an unforgettable Canadian Rocky Mountaineer adventure from Calgary to Vancouver.

All of this took place around many doctor’s visits, treatment, and last-minute miracles that kept her healthy enough to travel. Jeff credits the incredible work of the doctors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, for giving us three more years that we didn’t think we would have. Kathy was very proud of her participation in clinical trials of unknown drugs that not only prolonged her life but laid the groundwork for others to benefit as well.

In the end, Kathy went on her own terms. She gave all she could, then called for a time out. In the last few weeks of her life, by divine timing, a few months earlier Jeff had invited family and friends from all over the country to come shower Kathy with love. As she entered hospice care, she was able to visit and talk with each and every one.

Kathy is preceded in death by daughter, Kimberly (Reed) Baker and sister Elaine (Miller) Dietz. She is survived by her husband, Jeff, her daughter Kathie “Susie” (John) Kurt, and sister Margie (Carol) Davis. She leaves behind five grandchildren – Jill Baxter, Nick Baxter, Jeffrey Woodman, Michael Baker and William Baker, and one great-grandchild, Olivia Nicholson. Plus, many family and friends that are like family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, October 9 at 1:00 p.m. at Gross Funeral Home, 120 Wrights St., Hot Springs. Per Kathy’s wishes, there shall be NO whispering allowed! In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center at http://mdacc.convio.net/goto/KathyReed, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://raise.stjude.org/KathyReed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grossfuneralhome.com for the Reed family.