Kathleen A. Childs

Growing up as an Air Force "brat”, she lived in Japan, Germany, and Florida before her family moved to the Washington, DC area. She attended the U. of Maryland where she met her future husband Bill. After graduating in Education, she worked in Personnel at Ft. Belvoir, VA, and then quit to raise her family. Being car enthusiasts, her and Bill joined the Corvette Club of America. She was a gifted art teacher at St. Bernadette's Catholic School in Springfield, VA and taught preschool in Annandale, VA. A member of the Springfield Acres Garden Club, she won prizes for her floral displays. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and given only a slim chance of survival. Bill took early retirement from NASA and they moved to the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson. They enjoyed many years together there, bowling, playing bridge, and traveling, as well as occasional gigs as movie extras. She had a talent for knowing when a slot machine was going to give a little extra, but never "hit it big", apparently having used up most of her luck beating the breast cancer. She learned mah-jongg, much to the sorrow of her competitors. She co-founded and ran Desert Hope for several years, which raised funds for SAFE House and other worthy causes. Her membership in the Desert Newcomers Club brought her many treasured friendships.

She is survived by Bill, her daughter Jen, her son Chris, his wife Linda, and their son Thomas.