Katharine "Kate" Pattison Kyanne

Kate was born in Denver on March 4, 1951, the eldest daughter of Patricia and Forrest Wilcox. She grew up with her sisters, Patti and Dana, and her brother, Kent, in Lakewood, Colorado.

Kate graduated from Alameda High School and went to work for AT&T. In her mid-20s, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany, serving from 1975 to 1977.

Kate married Gerard Maiers, and they had two children, Jarrad and Katie. The family made their home in Wheat Ridge. Kate worked for AT&T for more than 30 years, often traveling around the country with her children in tow. They were experts at navigating Amtrak from the time they were small. After retiring from AT&T, Kate took on an interesting variety of odd jobs, including working at the water company in Wheat Ridge, for the U.S. Census Bureau, managing an H&R Block, and even trying her hand at driving for DoorDash.

Kate embraced travel and adventure throughout her life, and especially in retirement. She learned Spanish and lived for a time in La Paz, Mexico. With her big heart for animals, she became active in animal rescue while living abroad, caring for street dogs and cats and finding them loving homes. Kate loved camping and traveling, and she explored England, Australia, Fiji, Europe, Peru, Cuba, Africa, Dubai, and New Zealand.

Kate loved musical theater and was an avid supporter of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. For decades she was active in Jefferson Unitarian Church (now the Church of the Common Flame), where she served on a variety of committees. She was devoted to helping orchestrate the Western Unitarian Universalist Life Festival at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Ghost Ranch was a place special to her and a place of important memories for both of her children.

Kate was always planning the next quirky adventure, right up until her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in March 2026. She faced her illness with bravery and adaptability, weathering every transition with honesty and clarity. When chemotherapy proved intolerable, she began writing her thoughts and memories for others going through hospice. It was her way of making meaning of her late-stage cancer and what it meant for her life.

As her illness progressed, Kate planned her memorial service, oversaw the making of a photo slideshow of her life, chose music that was important to her, and had time to talk with her loved ones and friends. Her daughter, Katie, was a steadfast caregiver, and her sister Dana was by her side daily. Kate kept her strong sense of humor throughout her illness, and she believed that beyond death, another grand adventure was waiting for her.

Kate was preceded in death by her parents, Patricia and Forrest Wilcox.

She is survived by her sisters, Patti (Danny) Von Feldt and Dana Kohlmann; her brother, Kent Wilcox; her son, Jarrad (Bobbi) Maiers; her daughter, Katie (Eric) Galligan; and one grandson, Locke Maiers. She is also survived by her extended family of nieces, nephews, and their children, and by the many friends she gathered through her work life and travels.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Common Flame, 14350 W 32nd Ave., Golden, Colorado, 80401.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Adopt-a-Nest Program of Tortugueros Las Playitas, a sea turtle conservation organization dear to Kate’s heart. Please designate donations “In Memory of Kate Kyanne of the Church of the Common Flame.” Details are available at todostortugueros.org/adopt_a_nest.html.