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Image of Kathleen Ruth David.
From everyone here at Sierra News Online, our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Kathleen Ruth David.

Celebration of Life for Kathleen Ruth David

Image of Kathleen Ruth David.Kathleen Ruth David, also known as Kathy, Momma, Grandma, Kate, JD’s wife, and Sister #3 was a feisty, hard working, fun-loving, selfless person who always put others needs ahead of her own. Her love for life and her resiliency to keep going no matter what life threw at her was extraordinary.

Momma was born Christmas Day in Upland, California. In 1942 to Oleta and Ed Young. She spent most of her childhood moving between Yucaipa and Hollister with her 3 sisters Frankie, Eddie, and baby sister Roberta. It wasn’t until November 1958 when her father landed the fire chief position in Squaw Valley that they really settled in one place. Squaw Valley was home for the next several years and the one place where she would make great memories and meet the love of her life at the young age of 16. As a young girl she loved animals, art, the outdoors, her Dalmatian Michelangelo, fishing, riding horses, playing cards, singing and playing sports. She was extremely creative and had a passion for helping others in need even at a very young age. She attended Elementary school in Sanger and then went on to Reedley High School where she was the first daughter to graduate in 1961. She then went on to attend Reedley College in hopes of becoming a nurse one day, although she never received the diploma or the official nursing certificate. She was one of the best nurses ever to her mom and then a lifetime of loving and caring for my dad.

My mom always explained meeting my dad as, “love at first sound”, because it was his whistling that initially caught her attention and made her stop what she was doing and look out the window. Only to see this handsome young fireman washing the fire trucks and whistling while he worked. From that day on, mom found excuses to go outside whenever he was out and about working and eventually they became “friends”. Dad was super nervous about asking his boss if he could take out his daughter, but eventually he worked up enough nerve and asked. Grandpa made them wait until she was a little older. Finally, after a lot of begging and a few more months of getting to know him, Grandpa agreed and there was no turning back. They spent every minute that they could together. They would make it official October 17, 1964, and would start their family in 1969 with their first born Michele Oleta, in 1972 came Gabriele Lyn, and finally dad got his baby boy Matthew Louis in 1976.

On February 19, 2021 momma gained her angel wings. It brings us peace to know that she is no longer a prisoner in her broken and tired body, but dancing the night away with her sweetheart in heaven.

Momma is survived by her children Michele Stephens-Martin, Gabriele David-Franck & Scott, Matt & Jaycee David. Her grandchildren Paige & Phil Vanderville, Makenna Martin, Trevor David-Franck, Grace, Shayla, and Tessa David. Her sisters Frankie Ward, Eddie Suarez, and Bobbi Martin along with lots of nieces and nephews.

Image of the obituary for Kathleen Ruth David.

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Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online