Kathleen M. Walker

Born December 6, 1950 in Nyack, New York, Kathy grew up in Andover, New York and graduated from Greenwood High School. Kathy was active in Student Council, Yearbook Staff, Chorus, FHA (Future Homemakers of America), Varsity Cheerleading and she was also a very talented cornet player in the band. After high school, she attended Jamestown Community College for two years.

In the early years of her career, Kathy had a variety of jobs working in administration, marketing, and sales. She was a member of the Florida Women’s Bowling Association for many years and participated in several national bowling tournaments. She also loved to knit, crochet and got her gardening green thumb from her mother Marie.

By far, Kathy’s greatest career joy was working for more than twenty years for her dear friend Paul Sharff as the Operations Manager for Gold Star Limousine. She managed a team of drivers and enjoyed driving herself. She had many fun experiences, to include chauffeuring for President George W. Bush’s Inauguration, Super Bowl XXXV as well as many celebrities.

Kathy raised three children - Charles, Deena, and Bradley. She was reunited in 1999 with her daughter, Elizabeth, who was raised by her adoptive parents. Among her four children, Kathy had nine grandchildren that she adored. She was a fun grandma who loved to attend the grandkids’ sporting events, dance recitals, theatrical plays, and band performances.

She met her beloved companion, Richard Chamness, in 2005 and they spent 17 years together. They had a tremendous circle of friends and enjoyed traveling the region with their extended softball family. Richard was an avid player and Kathy served as scorekeeper in most games. For years the couple were season ticket holders to the Tampa Bay Rays, sharing a love for baseball, traveling, and spending time with their family.

Kathy is survived by her four children – Elizabeth (Eric) Barbour of Asheville, North Carolina, Charles (Glorianne) Flint of Bradenton, Florida, Deena (Brad) Jones of Bradenton Florida, and Bradley Wolf of Minneola, Florida. She is also survived by nine amazing grandchildren - Annesley, Aubrey, Colin, Jordan, Kyle, Raegan, Riley, Ryan, and Ty, and also three of Richard’s grandchildren. Kathy is also survived by a sister, June Jennings of Saratoga Springs, New York, brother Kenneth (Karen) Koehler of Andover, New York, brother-in-law Don Swartz of Andover, New York, and many nieces and nephews. Kathy was predeceased by her beloved partner, Richard Chamness, her parents Marie Koehler Austin and Herman Koehler, and sister Elsie Swartz.

A memorial service celebrating the life of both Kathy and Richard will be held at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Manasota Memorial Park on Thursday April 13, 2023. Visitation will begin at 9 AM with the service beginning at 10 AM. Burial and reception to follow.

Donations in Kathy’s memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ManasotaMemorial.com for the Walker family.