Kathy was born on April 20, 1956 to William and Jetty Morton in Hollywood, California. Kathy was brave, intelligent, creative, artistic and productive. She was a lifelong learner, mastering anything she put her mind to. She was seldom seen without a “project” as she enjoyed the challenge of learning something new and using that for her many creations. Some of her projects turned into businesses such as Heirloom Quilts in Poulsbo which she founded and co-owned with her mother, Jetty. And her most recent business, River Indigo Flowers in Suquamish, which she founded and co-owned with her daughter, Laura, who continues to plant and grow in preparation for the new season.

Family played a big role in her projects. Most notably is her design of Jetty’s house, which was built by her son, Alex. It was a house filled with family, love, and support until her death on January 17, 2024.

Kathy also shined at formal education and the workplace. She graduated from North Kitsap High School with honors and the School of Architecture at the University of Washington.

This led to positions such as Director of Housing for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and at Western Washington University as an Academic Advisor for Huxley College, Fairhaven College, and the Poulsbo campus. Kathy was loved by two wonderful families.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Morton, and her husband of 30 years, Dave Johnson and his grandchildren Sophie and Shaun. She is survived by her mother, Jetty, and four brothers, Todd (Edye), Don (Hitomi), Glen (Lisa), John (Katie), her first husband, Mike Saunders, and their children – Laura Tetrick (Dan), Alex Saunders (Sophie), and grandchildren, River, Indigo, Hank and Stella, and the children of her second husband, Dave Johnson – Brian, Erik, Adrienne, Jeanne along with eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides.

There will be a celebration of life later this year. An online memorial can be seen at www.poulsbomortuary.com.