Katherine Ruth Lukey

Katherine Ruth Ivie was born in Kilgore, Texas to parents Walter and Grace (McCoy) Ivie on December 6, 1946. When Kathy was very young, her family resided in Kilgore and later moved to Austin, Texas. Kathy had four siblings: brothers, Walter, Danny, and Jerry; and a sister, Margaret. She left Austin to move to St Croix in the United States Virgin Islands in 1968.

On St Croix, Kathy first found employment as a desk agent for Pan American Airlines. Later, she served for many years as a travel agent for Southerland Tours in St. Croix. As a travel agent, Kathy would occasionally arrange travel details for celebrities, as St Croix was a popular destination for many Hollywood luminaries including John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. One memorable encounter was with Victor Borge. In the Mid 1980’s, Kathy went to work for the Hess Oil refinery on St Croix. She worked as a refinery engineer aide.

She met Glenn W. Lukey in 1973. Kathy was registering for classes at the University of the Virgin Islands where Glenn was employed as a business manager. The two were married in St Croix on November 3, 1973. Kathy and her family enjoyed many years in St. Croix and wonderful hours of quality time together on the beach and the ocean. Kathy and Glenn sailed Hobie Cats and entered many local races. In 2003, the family relocated to Oregon.

Kathy will be remembered as a person who was very interested in being “in tune” with her body, mind, and spirit. She practiced yoga and took great interest in health and fitness with the goal of establishing and maintaining overall wellness and balance. Kathy never smoked a cigarette or drank alcoholic beverages. Though not necessarily religious, Kathy was certainly a spiritual person.

In the late 1980s, Kathy began to display symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Over the course of the last 30 years, Kathy faced each day with courage, resolve, enthusiasm, and grace. Kathy lived fearlessly. She did not let the disease be in charge. Where many could have taken a path of surrender, defeat, and self-pity, Kathy continuously adapted, graciously lived life without any complaint. Kathy was not ashamed or self-conscious about her disease and never let it stop her from continuing to do what she wanted to do. The way that Kathy managed her disease was truly inspiring and remarkable. She will also be remembered for her generosity, acceptance of others, and for her open - mindedness. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend and will be dearly missed.

Kathy absolutely loved reading books on her e-reader devices. Parkinson’s made holding books and turning pages very difficult. The Nook and Kindle were welcome inventions in Kathy’s life. Kathy’s favorite books to read were inspirational books and accounts of near-death experiences and descriptions of heaven. Another favorite activity was just sitting quietly in the living room listening to music. Some of her favorite recording artists were Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Chris Daughtry, and Josh Groban. She enjoyed television, too – especially American Idol, The Voice, and Turner Classics.

Kathy always had dogs as part of her family on St Croix and wanted to continue that tradition In Oregon. In Kathy’s last days, Kathy and Glenn adopted a Labrador/Golden Retriever mix named Gilbert. The two bonded instantly and Kathy finally got her wish of taking her dog for a walk in the park.

Kathy is predeceased by her parents; and a half-brother, Jerry Graham.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Glenn W. Lukey; son, George Buder Lukey; daughter, Felicia Canfield; brothers, Walter Ivie and Danny Graham; sister, Margaret Nakadate; grandchildren, Rylin and Macaden “Mac” Lukey, and Adrian, Colin, and Sterling Canfield.

A celebration of Kathy’s life followed by a reception will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Chapel, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, June 9, 2013, at 1pm.

Please visit the online guestbook located on this site and enter a special message of memory.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Croix Animal Welfare Center.