Kathleen Marie Edwards

Kathy lived a life of abundant kindness, caring and empathy, always thinking of others and putting others before herself. Determination, integrity, a strong work ethic and an ever-present sense of humor were hallmarks of her well-lived life. Kathy was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 15, 1940 to Carl and Ruth Fode. She graduated from St. Louis Park High School and had two children, James and Michelle, from a previous marriage. She met and fell in love with Pete in 1972, when he came to make a sales call at ITT Thermotech, where Kathy worked. They were married and moved to Wilmington, DE in 1973, opening up a whole new world to Kathy and her children. In Wilmington, Kathy worked for Gilpin Mortgage, where she retired as their Human Resources Director and member of their Board of Directors. In 2002, Kathy and Pete moved to Tucson, opening a new chapter in their lives where they made great friends and came to call southern Arizona home. Kathy tackled all of life's challenges with love, strength, focus and commitment, inspiring those around her. She did not live life on the sidelines but was engaged and made things happen with her can-do, take-charge attitude. When she discovered she had a rare blood cancer two years ago, she responded with the same moxie she demonstrated in earlier bouts of thyroid and breast cancer. In her last fight, she earned the respect of caring nurses and doctors at Arizona Oncology, Arizona Cancer Center and University Medical Center. Kathy passed away peacefully on May 7, 2010, with her loving husband, son, daughter and pastor at her side. She is survived by her best friend and husband Pete, son James LaMere of Denver, daughter Michelle Lamberton of Leesburg, VA, brother Bob Fode of Rossmoor, CA and granddaughters Larisa LaMere and Aiyana LaMere. A service celebrating Kathy's life will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley on May 22nd at 1 p.m. Kathy is loved and sorely missed by her family and friends.