Katherine Marie Buckley Wilkowski
July 9, 1921 - August 6, 2010
Obituary
Katherine Marie Buckley WILKOWSKI
Born July 9, 1921 in Spokane, WA; passed August 6, 2010 Des Moines, WA. Katie’s family moved to St Paul, MN where she attended St. Mark’s grade school, graduating from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1940. After a brief but pleasant job at Great Northern Railway where her father had worked she embarked an adventurous career during the pioneering days of commercial airlines. She flew for Northwest Orient Airlines for 13 years; personally hired by Rosie Stein to be in one of the first groups of stewardesses to take the Orient route out of Minneapolis. After being set up on a blind date by her brother-in-law Tom, she met the man she would later marry, Ed Wilkowski; despite the fact she had sworn she would never marry a pilot! Katie & Ed married in 1958 and began their life together in Bellevue, WA where they had two daughters. While the girls were young she volunteered with their schools, 4-H, and Campfire activities; when they were older working at Frederick & Nelson and Fred Huchinson. Shortly before Ed retired from Boeing they moved to Normandy Park. Together they enjoyed traveling, water aerobics and martini time; Kay joined garden club, St Joseph’s circle at St Francis, and was a charter member of The Museum of Flight, where she volunteered as a docent. She adored her family, as they did her. She is survived by her daughters Kathy Dan Sanford; Carol Gary Bolma; granddaughters Emma, Meaghan, Brenagh Sanford; Kelly & Karianne Bolma; sister Mary Rose Volberding; sister-in-law Dorothy Buckley; dear friend Arlene Brown and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Ed, granddaughter Caitlin Sanford, brother Robert Buckley; brother-in-law Tom Volberding; niece Anne Kirchgessner. Thank you to the entire community at Judson Park, Des Moines, especially the staff of The Grove. Mass will be held Friday, August 20th, 11am at St Francis Catholic Church 15226 21st Ave SW, Seahurst, WA to be followed by inurnment at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Park: 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA. Please sign the guest book at: www.bonneywatson.com. Remembrances to Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org
Hi Mama
I had the good fortune to know Kay at Normandy Park Assisted Living where we both lived. She was a delightful companion to all of us there, sharing memories of her days as a “stew” with those of us formerly connected with commercial aviation. While she was with us, it was like having an elfin queen in our midst. Her deep religious faith was an inspiration to all of us. Go with God, Kay, and continue to be a blessing your wonderful, loving family.