Kathy passed away this afternoon with the same grace and peace that exemplified her life. It was an unexpected ending to an emotional, terrifying and spiritual three weeks. I would like to thank our kids for regularly updating this blog so that Kathy's friends and family could share her life. I would also like to add my perspective and share two personal experiences that bracket these three weeks.First, thank you all for the loving letters, emails, phone calls, travel to Hawaii, gifts, cards, face book postings, flowers, chocolates, cookies, candy grams and edible arrangements (fruit bouquets). Each one brought smiles and priceless memories to both of us. Thank you for the concern, prayers, and well wishes. They meant a lot to her and they mean a lot to me, now. Thank you.
Three weeks ago Kathy and I were volunteer guides at the Mormon Temple in La'ie, Hawaii. It had been closed 2 years for renovations. Prior to reopening for religious uses, the temple was open to the public and we thought it would be fun to participate as guides. Each tour began on the first floor and ended at the top of the temple in a marriage or 'sealing' room. Mormons believe that a marriage performed in the temple does not end at death, but will endure through all eternity. Kathy and I had the opportunity to stand before several groups that day and tell how 40 years before, we were married to each other forever. On our drive back home we both commented on how special the reminder was. We recommitted our love to each other--forever. Early the next morning Kathy had the "MRI" and diagnosis. After the shock wave passed, she told me how the terrible news was softened by the comfort and sweetness we experienced in the temple the day before.
That was just three weeks ago. Yesterday, was a full day day of visits, laughter and family. Kathy felt well and asked me when I was going to break down and take her to Tahiti. During the night she awoke and asked me to hold her. After some time she said, "I'm going now. I love you forever." She slipped into a comma and passed away peacefully a few hours later.
She loved life and the adventures it brought. She loved her family and rejoiced in their growth and accomplishments. She was loved for being an example, for her kindness, selflessness and compassion. She will be missed.
Walking through life with you Kathy, has been a wonderful and rich journey.
Warren
Hawaii Funeral Services will be held on
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010
Viewing 5-7pm; Services 7pm
Hawaii Kai LDS Church Building
219 Lunalilo Home Road
Honolulu, HI 96825
More Info: 602-818-2471
ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US
Utah Funeral Service
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Chapel Service 11:00am
Lunch and visiting to follow for all
Ashley Park LDS Church Building
10312 Ashley Park Dr (2130 E)
Sandy, Utah 84092
ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME
Dad,
ReplyDeleteWe love you and are so grateful for the time that we had to spend with you and Mom last week. What a tender mercy the Lord gave to our family to have that time and share those sweet peaceful moments together on the back porch. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of a righteous companion to Mom - I always knew you loved Mom and that is a great blessing.
I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ that Mom will live again, and that because you were sealed in the temple for time and eternity that when I see her again I will still be her son - thank you for that gift, and for loving Mom so well. I love you Mom. Love, Jeff
So sad and shocked at the news. As I look back on this 3 week journey as shared through this blog and facebook postings it shows how much she was loved by many. Seeing her live her last 3 weeks, visited and surrounded by her loving husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends, I'm sure gave her such comfort. She immulated through and through the potential we have as Children of God. She knew she was Divine and helped us all know that we too are Divine. She exemplified womanhood through all that she did as a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend and you can't forget...Nurse. My prayers are with you and your family at this time. I love the Evans Family! Stacey Smith
ReplyDeleteDearest Family,
ReplyDeleteHow grateful we are for Kathy, her life, example and love....how wonderful it is to know that her family will carry on with great Faith and Devotion! We love you all and cherish the knowledge that we are a family and have the blessing of being together again.
I will cherish the memories of a most beloved older sister, one whom I would love to be exactly like...
I love you all!...Thank you, Warren, Scott, Peter, Jeff, Kari, Dan, Greg and Brett, for allowing me to spend a few days visiting. I am so thankful that I was able to come....Sisters are Friends Forever!
May constant peace, and the joy of fond memories carry you through, with the knowledge of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. My prayers are for each one of you.
I love you dear, sweet Kathy, thank you for your devine example. love, Barbara
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ReplyDeleteDearest Warren, Kari, Scott, Pete, Jeff, Dan, Greg, Brett and families,
ReplyDeleteYou are all constantly in our thoughts... we admire, love and charish the memories of times together as family. It's true, the Lord loves you and has provided you with so many blessings to ease the tremendous pain of loss at this time. We are grateful for your example of love and committment to each other, you inspire all of us to rejoice in the blessing of family. Thank you for sharing your experiences during the last three weeks, they have provided peace and comfort to us as well. Our prayers, tears, and celebration of your amazing wife, mother, and grandmother are with you at this time. We love you all
The Cowans
I think that is pretty close to how Mom would have things go. Mom was amazing, we all know that, and you know, it has been great getting to talk to her, and the rest of the family more frequently recently. We have been raised well, what great parents we have, Mom and Dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing it is to know what we know. That families can and will be together forever. That we will see our Mom again! Love you guys
-Brett
Uncle Warren and Family-
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing all of us to share in your experiences of the last three weeks. I am thankful for your testimonies. I have many great memories of times spent with your family and I am so grateful for your examples of faith and adventure! We pray for you and ask that the Lord will continue to bless each of you.
Love,
Sarah Alvord and Family
Dear Family,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your life over the past couple of weeks with us all. We have been praying for you here and continue to pray for you. We are so grateful to be a part of your family, and so grateful for your good lives. Thank heavens for Aunt Kathy, Uncle Warren and all of your great children.
Love,
Matt and Barbie and Family
Evans family,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. When I talked to Whitney last night I could only think of how amazing it was that she was able to say when she was going and say goodbye. She was a wonderful example of kindness and dignity. We all have you in our thoughts and prayers. Our love to all of you!
NIc and Marti Dumas
Kathy has finished a valiant mission here in mortality and will be greatly missed by her wonderful family, church and numerous friends. Each has received blessings of her faith, goodness and testimony of the Savior through their interactions and we are all better people for having her in our lives. Kathy leaves behind her loving, gracious and very adventurous husband with an empty spot in his life. The blessings of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and our knowledge that families can be together forever hopefully provides solace at this time of much grief. As we in mortality grieve over the loss of Kathy in our lives we know that there is much rejoicing in the heavens with those family members that have preceded her and those that had their Temple work completed.
ReplyDeleteKathy, Warren and their children have always been an example for Jackie, me and our children. I recall the early times when we would take our oldest children and go camping in the mountains. As time went on and the Evans moved to out of state for employment we would look forward to getting the families together when they came home for the summer vacation. Weddings in Phoenix. The dinner at Mom and Dad Cowan’s in the spring of 1987 when Jackie told mom that she was pregnant and Kathy piped in and said so am I. Mom and Dad rolled their eyes as if to say don’t you girls know when to quit. Then we all had a great laugh. The results were Brett and Susan born four days apart both are great blessings and challenges to their respective parents. They enjoyed vacation days at the Brian Head cabin and became good friends.
Kathy and Warren were also wonderful substitute parents to Kevin and Natalie and grandparents to their daughters while Kevin was attending ASU.
Warren thanks for being such a great husband, friend and companion to my sister she has always said wonderful things about you and your relationship. What an example you are to our family. Please know that we all love you and are available to you and the family at any time. Don’t give up on the bucket list, Kathy always said that list kept life interesting and there was always another adventure to check off the list.
I love you. I grieve for our loss. I express my condolences for you and your children and their families. They are all in my prayers. May God Bless and Comfort all those that grieve at Kathy’s passing and may they find strength in the Lord.
Love, David Cowan
Dearest Family-
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much for sharing the last 3 weeks with all of us. Kathy has been such an example to me throughout my life and I have been so blessed to call all of you family. My life has been touched by the uplifting spirit Kathy has always carried with her. My prayers are with you, Uncle Warren, and all of your amazing children. Praise be to our Father in Heaven for allowing such a blessed soul to walk among us.
Love always,
Susie Bulloch and Family
It's an easy thing to come up with good memories about Kathy and the time I was able to spend with her during her time here on earth. ALL of my memories of her are good. She was always gentle and kind, I never remember hearing her raise her voice or be stirred to anger. She was always nurturing and caring and concerned for others.
ReplyDeleteThe same should be said about the whole Evans family. Warren is her perfect match, and her character is emulated in him and their children. The world is a better place because of what Kathy has brought to it. I look forward to continuing our relations when this temporary life is behind us. Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for his wondrous plan and to our Savior for his life and willing sacrifice.
Dear Warren,Scott, Peter, Jeff, Kari, Dan, Greg and Brett,- We watched as you set such an example of an incrediable, loving, family. The example of motherhood, patience, love, and kindness that Kathy set for all of us. Now as Kathy has gone home- again we watch the example of an incrediable loving family. We are better people, we are better parents-because we knew Kathy. We love you, you are all in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove The Cunninghams-
Know your MOM is sooo proud of all of you !!The return of such a valiant daughter is cause for great celebrations where she is, and such a loss for those of us left behind. - When I find the exit door to the testing center- my greatest dream will be to kiss all my children- snuggle in bed next to the man I adore, close my eyes and say good-by.
Thank you for sharing this very personal time with all of us so openly. It has been wonderful to know that your family was able to share these last three weeks together...and to be reminded of how blessed we are to have temple ordinances that bind us to our families forever.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be a soft spot in my heart for the Evans family.
Much love, Allison Harbour Oberg
Dear Evans Family,
ReplyDeleteWe are saddened by the loss of Aunt Kathy--what a remarkable woman who led an exemplary life dedicated to family, service, and having a whole lot of fun. Thank you for giving us a window into these tender past few weeks through this blog; indeed, the closeness that you shared as a family pulled us all in as we celebrated the dynamic life of a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. May the sweet peace and joy that Kathy carried with her throughout life remain with your family forever.
Jonathan and Jamie
Dear Evans Family
ReplyDeleteHow grateful we are that we were able to see all of you at Janette's Birthday Party. Thank you so much for sharing your lives and testimonies. You are in our thoughts and prayers. All our Love Ludean Eames and Family
It has been such a blessing for me to have known Kathy. She was and is truly such an amazing and beautiful woman. I always felt love in her presence. She always made me feel like I was a part of the family. I am so grateful to have met and known all her children and most of her grand children. So many of her great qualities (and Warren's) were shown in all of them. Warren and Kathy have raised such amazing children. I have many great memories of times spent with Kathy and family. Most of all, thank you for letting me be a part of Brett's life. My friendship with him has taught me a lot about life. A part of Kathy is in Brett, which is now a part of me. As I serve my mission in Ecuador, I will have Kathy as an example of sharing the gospel, because I know she is and will be doing it on the other side of the veil.
ReplyDeleteAll my love and prayers to the whole Evans family. You all hold a special place in my heart.
Love,
Taylor Smith
Dear Warren and family:
ReplyDeleteShelley Cunningham (bless her heart) shared this site with us. What a shock to learn of Kathy's passing and yet, we can only feel wonder over the manner in which she chose to go. Please know we grieve with you -- David having lost his dear wife of 34 years (18 years ago) -- truly knows of your loss.
Sharing Ahwatukee II with the Evans family, blessed us in untold ways. You are a true example of why Families are Eternal. We send our love to all and carry you in our hearts, David and Linda Hansen
Dear Uncle Warren and family,
ReplyDeleteWe read about Aunt Kathy's passing with tears running down our faces, tears of sadness and loss, but also because of the blessings of the temple you two share. Thank you for sharing these most tender and sacred moments with us, so that we can mourn with and also be lifted by your faith.
We love you,
Sam and Amy
Dear Evans Family--
ReplyDeleteWe are sorry for the loss of a good and faithful sister in our lives. Thank you for the peace and strength, the joy and sorrow you shared in the blog and as Barbara and I came to visit. I count innumerable blessings in the last 3 weeks. I thank God for His goodness and pray for His sweet blessings in all your lives. We sent love to each and all. Love Jane and Lee Curtis
(Kari said...) Thank you to all for Loving Mom and Loving Us. We appreciate and feel the prayers and hugs across the miles. Words can not describe the Love we have for mom but we have LOVED hearing from all of you and your good memories and of the good influence Mom had in your life. She is my HERO! Love to you all-thanks again for everything. Love Kari
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDear Evans Family,
ReplyDeleteAt a time of sorrow in your lives, we are honored to have been permitted the opportunity to be a part of the last three weeks, but the past many years most of all. Brad shares many great memories of time spent with Uncle Warren, Aunt Kathy, and the family. He always talks of how matched their two families are together because the kids almost matched exactly for each one to have a friend.
Together we enjoyed the visits we were able to share at the cabin in Brian Head. We truly watched with awe in our young marriage at a family built on what matters most - the love of family. Time seemed to stand still around the Evans family as they shared life together.
We share love and sorrow with your special family at this time. We will cherish memories and be grateful for the influences we have received simply by being a part of your family. May the Lord bless you at this time with extended peace and comfort while you grieve the loss of such a remarkable figure in your lives. We Love you and pray for your family to be blessed with the Lord's comforting spirit.
Much Love,
Brad, Yolanda, Cameron, Judd Cowan
Dear Evans Family,
ReplyDeleteWhat an honor and privilege it was to know Kathy Evans. I worked with her for only 6 short years and what an inspiration she was/is to me and many. I thank you for sharing these past few weeks with all of us. I missed her dearly when she left Banner Gateway and loved seeing all the pictures and updates....boy did she LOVE her family. I still remember the jacket she used to wear to work with all her loving grandchildren's handprints on it and how very proud she was of all those grandbabies. Kathy was one incredilble nurse and her love for many was unconditional. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you Evans family. She has taught us all so much!!!!
Much love,
Shelley Goodman (and family)
I announced the services to my fellow students on campus. Our condolences from the Argosy Universtiy, Hawaii Campus, Fall 2010 Clinical Cohort.
ReplyDeleteThe Kane Ohana sends their love to all the Evans Ohana.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad that your wife was taken in only 3 weeks from the time you found the news of cancer. I am amazed at your family's strength, and reading your story reminds me of all the ways this situation still has so much hope. Thank you for the example you have set!!! Sending our love & prayers, the Borden family.
ReplyDeleteDear Evans Family,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your dear wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
I am heartbroken for you. I know you will miss her beyond what words can describe.
She was a very dear cowrker to me. I appreciated so very much working with her while I was at Banner Mesa Medical Center. We started about the same time! One of the many fond memories I have of working with Kathy, is her teaching me how to knit on a quiet Christmas evening shift. She also organized my going away party a couple of years ago, when I left Banner.
She was such an encouraging woman, who was wonderful with ALL her patients. She showed great love and compassion, as well as giving excellent nursing care. Her deep respect for, connection to, and comfort with the process of child birth was very evident in her practice as a labor and delivery nurse.
God's Blessing upon you as you grieve your loss and also rejoice in the beautiful life she lead while on this earth.
With deep and loving regards,
Nancy Bomber