Independent Enterprise
Wednesday February 04, 2009, pA2
Kathryn Jeanne Church, age 23 of Ontario, passed away peacefully from complications of Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Friday, Jan 30, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday Feb. 6, 2009 at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Payette. Services are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences to the family may be made to the family at www.shaffer-jensen-chapel.com.
In her short lifetime she made a tremendous impact to those around her. Katy was born July 13, 1985, to John Evan and Jean Elizabeth Church in Ontario, Ore. She and her older sister Kirsta were great "tickle buddies." Her younger brother Andy arrived in October of 1988 and they grew to be great friends. She has credited him with being her rock for the last few years.
Those who knew Katy remember how she loved to "kick up her heels." One of her great joys in life was dance. She began tap dance lessons at age 5 and subsequently learned jazz, clogging, Irish, modern and ballet. For a brief time durng high school, she was able to teach dance and still has warm relationships with former students.
Katy also played flute beautifully. She had the opportunity to be part of Malheur Community Orchestra Association's Debra Pivetta Flute Concert by being tutored by Ms. Pivetta for the day and performing solo that evening in concert. She enjoyed playing with various community music groups and, at one time, coerced Mom and Andy into joining her - a time they all enjoyed very much.
If you asked Katy she would have told you that her greatest contribution to life was her beautiful daughter, Elizabeth. The short time they had together was priceless. Katy was a superb mother despite the rigors of her cancer treatments. When she was with Elizabeth, she was with her 100 percent. Even during her hospitalizations it was not uncommon to find them together cuddling and playing quietly while Katy was hooked up to various hospital equipment.
Katy was also proud of the fact that she finished her CNA at TVCC. She had planned to continue on with her nursing education and concentrate on either Obstetrics or Pediatrics but, after stricken with cancer in November of 2004, she decided she wanted to work in pediatric oncology.
During her entire battle with cancer she remained positive and continually impressed those close by her with her amazing will to survive and her loving spirit. The remaining family is still learning how many other lives she has touched.
She is survived by her princess, Elizabeth; her mother, Jean Church; her father, John Church; her brothers, Andy Church and David Rickard; her sister, Kirsta Church and her fiancee Dave White and Kirsta's son, Cody; grandparents, George and Nina Strange and Jack and Evelyn Church; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family requests that donations in her name be made to Fruitland St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661. We will always be grateful for the loving care she received from MSTI and OHSU during her battle.