Kathryn Janet Kaveney

Kathryn Janet Kaveney passed away February 16, 2024 in San Diego, CA. Kathryn was born April 3, 1936, in Oklahoma City, OK to Lewis and Mary Jane Gibson Ferguson. She was the middle child, and their only daughter. The family moved to Redondo Beach, CA when Katy, as she was known to family, was three years old. She spent many happy hours at the beach growing up.

Kathy met her future husband, Robert Kaveney, while attending St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, CA. After graduating high school, she worked as an executive secretary at Hughes Ground Systems and even had an encounter with the reclusive Howard Hughes.

Kathy and Robert married in June of 1959, and moved to San Diego while Bob did his internship at Mercy Hospital. After moves to Cleveland, Ohio and San Antonio, Texas where he finished his training and military service, they settled in San Diego in the fall of 1964. She was busy raising their five children and volunteering with many organizations including Juniors of Social Service, Social Service Auxiliary, the San Diego Medical Auxiliary, the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, and National Charity League, where she served on the national board.

While living in Texas Kathy sang in the Lackland AFB Officer’s Wive’s Chorus and took up ceramics. There are many holiday decorations that are the work of her hands. She was a great baker, famous for her Christmas cookies and poppyseed cake. Her other hobbies included playing tennis, tole painting, cross stitching and puzzle solving. She loved to travel, and was able to see much of the world, but Kauai was always a favorite destination.

She is survived by her children, Janet of San Diego, Susan Shultz (Stephen) of San Diego, Patrick (Kathy) of Carlsbad, Mary Temoyan (John) of Mission Viejo, and Sean (Tina) of Palmdale, five grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Kathy is predeceased by her husband of 33 years, Robert, her parents, and her brothers Patrick Ferguson and Larry Ferguson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association San Diego Chapter in her honor.