Kathy Lynn Sechrist Linderman lost
her long, but incredibly courageous
battle with cancer on Saturday,
September 26, 2009 – her family was
gathered close by her side.
Kathy was born in Seattle, WA on June
25, 1951 to Jack and Betty Sechrist.
She was the eldest of 5 children and
had unlimited patience, empathy and
love that she shared with everyone
from the day she was born until
the day she left us. She will always
be remembered for her warmth,
personal integrity, generous spirit,
infectious laugh, quick wit and unwavering strength. She was a gifted teacher
who inspired so many with her passion for public education and love of books, her
tireless commitment to her students and steadfast support of her colleagues. She
was a devoted friend and will never fully realize the tremendous impact she had
on those she came in contact with during her short 58 years of life. Above all, she
was an amazing mother to her three children and a source of great pride and joy
to her parents as well as her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Kathy loved
to play the piano and guitar, sing in church, sail, read, crochet and bake “from
scratch” her famous crescent rolls and cardamom bread. She spent many happy
days out at the family home and cabin at Paradise Cove on Vashon Island with her
mom, her family and LOTS of dogs.
Kathy grew up on Vashon Island, graduating from Vashon High School in 1969 –
during her high school years she was Captain of the Drill Team and very active
in Music, German and Letter clubs, Thespians, Honor Society as well as an avid
snow skier and instructor.
Her family was so proud when Kathy was selected by the local Chamber of
Commerce in the summer of 1969 to compete in the annual Island Festival
pageant highlighting 12 young women with strong academic performance and
goals, community involvement as well as talent and beauty. She was crowned
“Miss Vashon” and went on the following year to compete in the “Miss Washington”
pageant.
Kathy attended Central Washington State College (now Central Washington
University) in Ellensburg, WA and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in
education with a special emphasis in music. It was there she met Rob Linderman
– they were married December 27, 1973. She began teaching grade school in
Hoquiam, WA earlier that fall and continued to teach there until Ross was born
in 1977.
In 1978, the family moved to Centralia, WA where Amy was born (1979) – Kathy
loved being home with her children and working in her bountiful garden with both
of them in tow alongside the North Fork of the Newaukum River.
Employment opportunities for Rob then took them down to Sacramento, CA in
1982 where Chris was born. It wasn’t long, though, before they moved back to the
northwest and settled in Issaquah, WA. In 1986, the couple divorced, but Kathy
and the kids remained in Issaquah.
A young single mom, Kathy enrolled in the University of Washington to obtain
her Masters in Library Science and graduated in 1988. She was then hired as the
librarian of Issaquah Valley Elementary School (Chris was one of her students) and
remained there until 1997 when she became the Issaquah High School librarian –
Amy was a senior and Chris, a sophomore there. In 2001, she was elected President
of the Issaquah Education Association where she worked relentlessly for 5 years as
a staunch advocate for the teachers in the Issaquah School District. When her term
was over in 2006, it was time to go back to the library, this time at Skyline High
School in Sammamish, WA where she worked until her recent surgery in August.
Kathy was diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Eve, 2003. She endured so much
in the last 6 years (multiple surgeries as well as numerous rounds of chemotherapy
and radiation) – all while continuing to work. Her resolve never faltered, her good
humor rarely failed and she bravely accepted the next hurdle. She often said, “You
just do what you gotta do!” And she always did it with a smile and a dismissive
shrug. She exemplified how to live with cancer.
Kathy is survived by her children Ross Linderman (Seattle, WA), Amy Linderman
(Tri-Cities, WA) and Chris (Heather) Linderman (Tri-Cities, WA); her mother,
Betty Sechrist (Vashon, WA); siblings John (Carolyn) Sechrist (Norfolk, VA),
Mike (Melinda) Sechrist (Seattle, WA), Jan (Jeff) Sandstrom (Seattle, WA), Polly
(Bob) Caprye (Whidbey Island, WA); 9 nieces and nephews Michael, Brian, Todd,
Johnny, Brett, Andrew, Holly, Kalie and Jack; and her granddaughter Hadley. She
was preceded in death by her father, Jack Sechrist.
We miss you and love you, “Skeets” – we know that you and Daddy are spending
some well-earned “staring” time together. Hold a place for all of us and we’ll see
you in awhile….
A memorial service celebrating Kathy’s life will be held on Saturday, October 3,
2009 at Burton Community Church on Vashon Island (23905 Vashon Highway SW,
Vashon, WA 98070). Donations may be made in Kathy’s name to the Issaquah
Schools Foundation www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org, the American Cancer
Society www.cancer.org or the Burton Community Church.
Please visit www.Legacy.com and sign Kathy’s on-line guestbook.
(Paid obituary)
