Kathleen was born in Los Angeles, CA to parents Marvin and Berdena Mc Mains in March of 1946. She was the youngest of five at that time with an older sister and three older brothers. A younger brother entered the world nine years later. She entered the world without a middle name as her parents could think of none suitable for her. After four children, that’s understandable.

Kathy’s family was of modest means by the standards of the day as they were a single income family, but although resources were scarce, love was abundant. Both parents worked hard to maximize every dollar spent and hand-me-downs were the order of the day. When not attending Stonehurst Elementary or Byrd Junior High schools, Kathy would explore the surrounding hills and semirural areas with her older siblings, cousins, and friends. Digging a tunnel complex in the field adjacent to their house was great fun until the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ordered them to stop as it may compromise the high voltage transmission lines overhead of their excavations. The Hansen Dam Recreation area was within walking distance of their home and became their personal play area before it was developed.

At John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, Kathy was very active in the campus Youth for Christ club. She acted in skits, helped with announcements, and with planning the morning programs. She was a member of the local Bible Quiz Team, would memorize entire books of the Bible, and would regularly compete in Bible memorization meets. At a morning Youth for Christ campus meeting she noticed a tall guy while in her B-12 senior year. She pursued him until he woke up and “caught” her. They dated and were engaged over a four year period. She married Larry on June 17, 1967. Their shared faith in their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the foundation for their 56+ years of actual happy marriage – not feigned.

After two years of married life, she earned her PHT (Put Hubby Through) degree and the two of them strived to start their married life goals together. Unfortunately, Uncle Sam drafted Larry for Viet Nam service immediately upon Kathy earning her PHT. The couple stayed stateside for over two years, and with just enough time left for a Southeast Asian deployment, Larry was sent to Taiwan which was an “unaccompanied assignment” meaning that family members (i.e. Kathy) were not allowed to accompany him there. However, Kathy decided she was not in the military and went anyway – another PHT degree earned, this time putting Larry through military service. While in Taiwan she learned basic Mandarin, taught English at a theological seminary, assisted missionaries when possible, and worked with youth whose parents were in business, in the military, or missionaries.

Upon discharge from the military, the couple prepared to enter the foreign mission field. During the four plus years of preparation, Kathy earned additional PHT degrees, and added Greg and Kristy to the family. While studying at the Center for World mission, an instructor assigned single word descriptions to each participant. For Kathy, he assigned the word “mom” as he watched her care for Greg (then 4) and Kristy (then 1). As mom, she is above reproach and is truly a Proverbs 31 woman (verse 29, “Her children rise up and bless her). As Greg and Kristy grew in stature, Kathy became known as “the little momma.” At almost 5’11” this bothered her in a good humored way as she became the shortest member in the family of four.

Service in the foreign mission field did not happen; however, from that point on, Kathy embraced her role as “mom.” She also worked as a medical transcriber after Greg and Kristy entered junior high age, taught fifth and sixth grade girls classes at one church, served as education superintendent at another, served as cheerleading team mom, and basketball team mom for Kristy and Greg respectively as they went through high school. Kathy also mentored young mothers. She also made it a priority to be an incredible wife and helpmate to Larry. And she thoroughly enjoyed our Lord’s creation – especially the birds.

As the family grew to include two granddaughters, Kathy embraced her new role as “grandma!” In fact, she nudged Larry northward from Oregon to wear the new status of “grandma” so she could spend more time with her granddaughters. But she never ignored her first assignment as “mom” and continued to be just that to her adult kids.

Her departure from this temporal life has truly left a void in the hearts of her husband, her kids, her grandkids, extended family members, all who knew her in depth, and even some who were only casual acquaintances. The one deeply felt hope she expressed before she left us was that those who knew her would join her in eternity with Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That she could once again enjoy those people. She is one incredible lady and is sorely missed! - Larry Vonada

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