Kathryn Pennock Terrell

The family moved to a peach ranch in Palisade, where her sister Diane was born. Returning to the Front Range several years later, they farmed in Berthoud. Kathy went to Berthoud schools and worked on the family farm until leaving home after graduating a straight A student from old Berthoud High at age 17. Both parents were long time 4-H leaders & Kathy was in 4-H well into her 20s. Kathy loved caring for farm animals, despite it being hard work for a girl. She had a rare ability to understand animals, was very observant as well as a quick learner and a hard worker. Above all, Kathy loved horses. She & lifetime girl friends Cindy & Candy Sheeley rode horses & took lessons from local school teacher, Lois Conklin.

In 1973, Kathy moved to Longmont on her own, where she worked a variety of minimum wage jobs. On her own time, she continued to ride horses, training & barrel racing as well. She broke & trained horses privately & taught riding at East Slope Farms. At Mountain View Animal Hospital she handled reception, assisted vets and in the pharmacy.

Kathy found her dream job in 1982 when the Longmont Police Department hired her as an animal control community service officer. She now could work with abandoned or neglected pets and enforce laws for their benefit, health & protection.

In 1982, a large, vicious dog attacked Kathy. She placed herself between the dog and some children and it viciously mauled her for 20 minutes until help arrived. She eventually returned to work, but PD staff belatedly realized she was seriously traumatized & a police psychologist diagnosed severe PTSD. She was awarded the Police Distinguished Service medal & Purple Heart for her actions & worked at the PD until involuntary medical retirement after 10 years of service. She required multiple surgeries over the years due to physical damage from the mauling and continued treatment with Police Psychologist John Nicoletti for the rest of her life.

Kathy’s world was complete when she married David Terrell, a Longmont Police co-worker. They lived on a small ranch near Milliken. Kathy’s passion led them to build an amazing collection of animals, including horses, goats, chickens and breeding llamas. Many dogs and cats rounded out this menagerie.

Decades of chronic stress and persistent infections contributed to heart & lung failure, which eventually took her life.

Survivors: Husband of 35 years David; Sister Diane Small, nephew Brandon Small & wife Brittany, daughters Alexa & Rowen of Berthoud; sister Judy (Buchman) Pennock & husband Jerry of Rapid City SD; and a brother, Doug Pennock & wife Linda, daughters Rebecca & Susan of Berthoud. Kathy was very close to her best friend Cindy (Sheeley) Ramsel and her sister Diane’s extended family; Ash Miner; the Annie Weston Rush family & Michael Reagan & family & Kenny Small.