Kathleen Mae Sather

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Kathleen Mae Sather, my beautiful, talented and compassionate wife, devoted care giver, enthusiastic friend and world traveler after a short battle with an aggressive, despicable disease. Our only comfort is that she is no longer in agonizing pain. She passed away peacefully at Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland on September 2, 2024.

Kathleen was born on January 19, 1952 in Centralia, WA and was raised in a small house with her younger sister, Malia. Her Father was a much-revered GMC mechanic and her Mother was the “Avon Lady”. She was tasked with a list of daily chores which honed her exhaustive work ethic. She relished her time in school to be with friends and immerse herself in activities both physical and social. She was a member of the track team, a cheerleader, and voted “Biggest Flirt” by her classmates. She drove the Timberland Regional Library bookmobile throughout the region and she loved reading stories to the children on her route. She was an avid reader and loved to conduct research in the library on all manner of subjects.

After graduation from Centralia High, Kathleen moved to Olympia, WA where she started college at The Evergreen State College. She attended for one year before accepting a job at the Dept. of Natural Resources as a researcher to further her inquisitive impulses. After suffering two personal tragic life episodes, she struggled through a number of restaurant jobs, trying to find herself. It was while working at Trails End in Tumwater that she found her true love and life mate, Bill Sather. Their journey took them from Olympia, to three years working in California, back to Seattle for seven years and finally to Monroe, WA in 1990.

In Monroe, she set up a room attached to the house to start Snohomish County’s first accredited day spa. Her previous 3 years study at a Seattle beauty school qualified her to treat customers to manicures, pedicures, nail services and skin care. She loved the challenges of working with different people and their various personal needs. She earned the status of Snohomish County’s first accredited Anti-aging spa shorty after opening and also volunteered at the local hospital in the “Look good, Feel Better” program dedicated to discounted beauty treatments for cancer patients. Kathleen continued her education over the ensuing 34 years by traveling to Florida, Arizona, British Columbia and California to earn over 200 advanced certifications in skin care, anti-aging and other advancements in aesthetic training. She was an enthusiastic member of both the Sky Valley and the Monroe Chambers of Commerce for over 25 years and was also a Rotary member for many years. She was always front and center with a smile to meet and greet and tell a story with her infectious laugh. Kathleen was never afraid to be the best dressed person at any event and she always lit up the room.

In 2018, Kathleen and Bill traveled to Italy on a family vacation for two fabulous weeks in Florence and Ravello. That was the start of a five-year run of well-deserved, memorable vacations to Hawaii, Alaska by cruise ship, Mexico on the TCM Cruise/Disney Magic and a trip including Paris, London and crossing to New York City on the Queen Mary II. In Paris, she was able to visit a castle built in 1190 by her ancestors, which fulfilled for her a life-long dream. Every summer she spent a week at the family lake-front property in Montana with friends. Her next project was to be a book of amusing anecdotes from her life experiences which were many and varied, bordering on incredulous. Like the time she saw a coffee can with a sign on it for spare change in the workers pit at the Monorail, 30 feet below where we were standing. I said no way; she nailed it on the first shot with a quarter, much to the appreciation of the workers below.

Kathleen has endured many serious health issues over the last 20 years, suffering excruciating pain and extended treatment regimes. Through it all she determined to put best foot forward and tough it out with a smile and a kind heart. No one was more compassionate about the less fortunate, the marginalized or our furry friends. She was oversensitive almost to a fault. She is horrified by the hate and anger that has arisen throughout the world over the past 10 years and hopes for a kinder and gentler tomorrow for the ones she leaves behind. Please do your part to honor her wishes.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Bill, of 40 years, her sister, Malia, and her two beloved kitties, Jinx and Marley B. Please consider honoring her memory with a donation to Take the Next Step in Monroe. A memorial celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date.

Kathleen (“Bunny” to her friends) would never sign off without a story. Her 15 minutes of fame came when, as a cocktail server at Trail’s End in Tumwater, she was dared to ride the mechanical bull. With her skimpy outfit and cowboy hat, she rode that bull much to the delight of the cheering crowd, which resulted in a full-spread, 8” x 10” color photo on the front page of the Sunday Olympian with full caption. The spirit of our beloved Bunny will endure in the hearts of her many friends and acquaintances forever.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Kathleen (Bunny) Sather

Friday, October 25, 2024, from 3:00 - 6:00 PM

El Paraiso Mexican Grill

14090 Fryelands Blvd, Monroe, WA

Combo plates will be offered.

First drink (beer, wine, or margarita) is on Bunny!

Bunny loved a party, and Halloween was a favorite! Let's celebrate the life of this caring, kind, giving and hilarious woman who brought joy, love, and light to so many! Bring your memories, jokes, and stories to share!

Costumes welcome but not required

Donations to Take the Next Step in Bunny's honor gratefully accepted.

Please RSVP to: [email protected]