Kitty Kat Kimbell. Courtesy photo.

Kitty Katt Kimbell is now at home with her heavenly Father. She left this life for the courts of heaven on April 24, 2009, after a long struggle with cancer and other illnesses.

She was born in Springfield, Mass., on Oct. 14, 1948. In 1961 her family moved to California where at the age of 12 she met the love of her life, John Kimbell. Together they have known many difficult times, but also blessing and love.

Kitty graduated from Marina High School in 1966 and was proud of her bachelor and master’s work at Eastern Kentucky University, as well as nursing studies. She enjoyed her years drafting and for a time teaching math at San Bernardino Community College, but her favorite job and ministry was as a pastor’s wife. Kitty will be remembered for a big and loving heart that always reached out to others.

Kitty is survived by her loving husband, Pastor John Kimbell of Tuolumne; daughters, Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth of Lakeport and Kimberle Hill of Riverside; sons-in-law, Michael Auth and Todd Hill; and five grandchildren. She is survived also by her mother, Jean Sachs of Soulsbyville; brothers Ziggy Katt of Marble Falls, Texas and Bob Katt of Albany, NY; and many other extended family members.

While Kitty now rests in the peace of the Lord, we will miss her and invite you to join us for a celebration of her life on May 6 at noon at the Tuolumne United Methodist Church, 18851 Cedar St., Tuolumne. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts* in Kitty’s honor may be given to the United Christian Parish at 745 N Brush St. in Lakeport CA 95453.

(*Memorial gifts will be used to facilitate making our church bathrooms handicap accessible, it saddened me to realize over the past months that my own mother and grandmother would not be able to worship at our church because the bathrooms are not handicap accessible yet!).