Kathleen Ruth Schlichting

Kathleen Ruth Schlichting (nee Chisholm) passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, at the age of 78, surrounded by family. The eldest of three sisters, she was born on October 14, 1946, at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up, she cherished family trips to the Wisconsin Dells, game nights, and participating in the Junior Achievement Club at West Leyden High School, where she graduated in 1964. Kathleen also excelled at archery, even surviving being shot in the leg with a stray arrow during her senior year.

As a young girl, she learned the art of cooking gourmet meals, taught by her mother and friends from various cultural backgrounds. Both her chili and barbecue sauce won several awards over the years, and she proudly passed on her beloved German Rouladen recipe to the Mesa Fire Department. No one made chocolate crinkle cookies better than Kathleen, and despite being a gourmet cook, she savored a simple pizza burger and a chocolate malt. She additionally had a talent for knitting, creating one-of-a-kind blankets and hats for loved ones and neonatal hospital patients.

On April 10, 1965, she married John Peter Schlichting at historic St. Alphonsus Cathedral in Chicago. The couple met at a high school dance, and before having a car, John would take two bus lines across the city just to see her. In 1980, Kathleen and John moved to Mesa, Arizona, with their three children: John Jr., Jennifer, and Amanda. Kathleen had a love for fast cars and rock-and-roll. Her favorite car was her red 1972 Javelin AMX, and despite her love for sports cars, she crossed life’s finish line with a perfect driving record. Above all, Kathleen’s greatest joy was her family. She loved attending hockey games (both professional and her great-grandson’s), following the Phoenix Suns, and coaching her kids’ swimming. Kathleen took immense pride in having the cleanest swimming pool in Arizona and loved sharing it with family, friends, and neighborhood kids.

Each year, Kathleen looked forward to staying up for 24 hours to watch the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and her Jerry Lewis impression was spot-on. She was a foosball champion, a Gin Rummy whiz, and always knew the five-day forecast. Kathleen had a knack for being frugal, making a game out of checking her SRP electric app daily. To unwind, she loved reading, solving puzzles, and watching her favorite show, The Waltons.

While homemaking was her proudest legacy, Kathleen also owned Bullies in a China Shoppe Décor in Phoenix, a vintage architectural salvage and design boutique. Kathleen had a wonderful sense of humor and even played along when she was named “Employee of the Month” in her own business. Above all, Kathleen loved Jesus. She participated in many church activities throughout the years and touched the lives of many people, including friends and strangers. In everything, she and John were a team. Her mantra was, “Families stick together,” and her family will always honor her by doing so.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Ruth Chisholm; her sister, Patricia Schulze (Dean); and her dog, Stella. She is survived by her husband, John; children, John Jr. (Stacy), Jennifer, and Amanda; sister, Marlene (Joseph); grandchildren, Careisse (Richard), Julia-Claire, Silvia, Parker and Greyson; great-grandchildren, Deagan, Ryder, and Ocean; dog, Sugar; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family will hold a private memorial.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association, the Arthritis Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or the Animals Benefit Club would be a wonderful way to honor Kathleen.