Kathy Lynne Walker

July 12, 1968 – January 26, 2018

Kathy Lynne Walker was born in White Settlement, Texas, the firstborn child of Larry John and Penny Lynne Walker.

Kathy was very outgoing, vivacious and active since childhood. Her interests and talents included music, writing poetry and sports. She won a poetry contest in grade school and performed vocal solos at several church events. She was a cheerleader in high school and college.

Since her father was a minister subject to transfer, the family moved several times during Kathy’s childhood-to Denver, Colorado in 1970; to Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1974; to Portland, Oregon in 1976; to Eugene, Oregon in 1977. Her mother died in 1980 following a relapse of health problems that began in 1975. Her father remarried in 1981; and the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1982. After graduation from high school, Kathy attended college in Duluth, Minnesota.

Kathy fought a long battle with myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome). She moved to El Paso, Texas, where her father was serving as pastor. Her health problems increased and worsened over the years, resulting in her becoming semi-incapacitated. Despite her illness, she lived on her own for 20 years, with the help of family, friends and caregivers. In 2010 she met Mike Riley due to a chance phone call, and in 2014 she moved to Roseville, California to be with him. They enjoyed their time together despite her worsening health problems that eventually claimed her life. Kathy died in her sleep January 26, 2018.

Kathy was preceded in death by her mother, Penny Walker and is survived by her father Larry Walker, brother Kelly Walker of Tucson, Arizona; and sisters Tonia Meyers of Bend Oregon and Laurie McGuire of Byron, Michigan- and the love of the life, Mike Riley of Roseville, California.