Obituary of Kathleen Ann Winkley

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Humane Society of Thurston County. Kathleen Ann Patricia Winkley neé Coolen (b. September 12, 1936) died November 10, 2019. She passed at Providence/St. Peter Hospital surrounded by her beloved family, succumbing to injuries sustained in a tragic accident which occurred Halloween afternoon. Born in Seattle, WA, Kitty was the third of six children born to Harvey and Virginia Coolen. She graduated from Holy Angels High in 1954, after which she trained as an X-ray technician at Providence Hospital, Seattle. A very social person, Kitty made friends wherever she went, friendships that she maintained throughout her life. She met her husband, Kenneth Winkley, in 1956. They were married in 1957 and shortly after the Winkley ‘clan’ began to develop, first in the form of 7 children, then 17 grandchildren, and finally 15 great grandchildren, all of whom she nurtured with of love and respect. Kitty was employed by the State of Washington for most of her working life, first as a member of the Department of General Administration, then Department of Natural Resources, then for Social and Health Services in the Department of Developmental Disabilities, where she had many friends and worked diligently to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access and are treated with dignity. Kitty loved people and animals alike, the latter often being referred to as her ‘fur babies’. She had many dogs and cats over the years and was known to shower the other dogs and cats of their neighborhood with love and treats. She is survived by her husband Kenneth Winkley of Tumwater, her children and their spouses/significant others: Robert (James), Martin (Nancy), Daniel (Rhonda), David (Karla), Suzanne (Joseph), Kenneth Jr. (Monica), and Edward (Michaela); her many children and grandchildren; and her siblings Virginia Briggs, Theresa Hood, Richard Coolen, and Michael Coolen. She was preceded in death by her parents Harvey and Virginia Coolen, her brother Patrick Coolen, and her granddaughter Erica Winkley. On Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 11:30 AM a Catholic mass will be said at St. Michael Parish, Olympia, WA. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a future date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Humane Society of Thurston County.