Kathleen "Dr. Kathy" Gutierrez

Kathleen Jo “Dr. Kathy” Gutierrez, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, ACNS-BC

Kathleen Jo Gutierrez, a devoted caregiver, loving mother and dedicated member of the community passed away peacefully on December 28, 2023 with her family by her side after a lengthy illness. She was 76 years old.

“Dr. Kathy”, as she later become known by her community of patients and many friends, was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Edward and Marian Anderson. Kathy thought she was the oldest of six, until she discovered she had an older sister. She began her life as a natural caregiver in her youth by looking after her younger siblings. After initially dropping out of high school, Kathy went back, earned her GED and then never stopped going to school. She earned the Master of Science in Nursing Degree, Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Certification Credential of Adult Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification. Dr. Kathy began her career as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital in Denver. She became a Professor of Nursing at Loretto Heights and Regis University in Denver. She published a number of Nursing Pharmacology textbooks. She was the Dean of Nursing at the Denver School of Nursing, and later the Dean of Nursing at Platt College of Nursing. In 2006, Dr. Kathy opened her own private practice, Premiere Healthcare, where she cared for over 1,100 patients before retiring in 2016.

Dr. Kathy received many awards and recognition including induction into Sigma Theta Tau as a member of Alpha Kappa at University of Colorado Loretto Heights College, Who’s Who in American Nursing, the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, the Who’s Who Publisher’s Prestigious Roster of Top Female Executives, and Woman of the Year by The National Association of Professional Women.

It was during her early years of schooling that Kathy met the love of her life, Patrick Leonard Gutierrez. Residing in Lakewood for over 30 years, Kathy and Pat created a home filled with love and warmth while raising their two children, Pam and Mike. They built a life centered around hard work and unwavering support for one another. Kathy’s strength and resilience was never more evident than when her hero and best friend Pat passed away in 2019. She persevered.

After moving to Longmont to be closer to her family, Dr. Kathy established herself in her new community and became involved in the Longmont Genealogy Society, played the piano as a member of the “Swingin’ Seniors Rhythm Band, and was a volunteer at Longmont United Hospital. Kathy had many interests and hobbies including; playing the piano, sewing, and crafts. She created her own website, Dr. Kathy’s Krafts where she displayed and sold her creations.

Dr. Kathy is survived by her daughter Pam Fuller (Brad), grandchildren Cydnee and Shayd Fuller, Kyle Kasper, Kayla Hamblin (Chad), and great-grandsons Ryker, Wyatt and Jackson Hamblin, her brother James (Pam), her sisters Sandy, Debbie (Mel), Sherry (Brian) and Barbara, along with their respective families. She is preceded in death by her parents Edward Anderson and Marian Anderson Miera, her sister Gay Lucas, son Michael Patrick Gutierrez, and her husband Patrick Leonard Gutierrez.

Kathy’s legacy lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, patients, students, and all those whose lives she touched.

Services will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024 with Viewing at 9:00 AM followed by Memorial Service at 9:30 AM at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, located at 327 Terry Street, Longmont, CO 80501.

Immediately following the Memorial Service, a Commital Service will take place at 1:00 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, located at 4400 E. Kenyon Avenue, Denver, CO 80236.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy requests donations be made in her and Pat’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), PO BOX 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250.