Kathleen Christison,77, known affectionately as "Teenie" and "Auntie Koo" by those who knew and loved her, died at her home on April 25th with her dear friend, Lura, by her side.
Kathleen was born to Paul Merritt and Donna Olive Garbett Christison, October 2, 1941 in Nephi, Utah. She spent her early years there until her family moved to Richfield, Utah where she subsequently graduated from Richfield High. She then served a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Mission to New England, becoming life-long friends with President and Sister Truman Madsen. Upon returning from her mission, she spent several years in California; first in San Francisco with her cousin, Susan Garbett, to whom she was close, then with her dear friend, Alice Wilbur, in Castro Valley. She then returned to Salt Lake City where she has lived ever since.
Kathleen was a charming woman with a delightful sense of humor that ingratiated her to everyone far and wide. Her brother, Kim, will deeply miss their Sunday afternoon telephone chats that kept them both in stitches and added handsomely to the telephone companies' bottom line. As expansive as her wit, was her kindness and generosity exemplified in her acts, large and small, on behalf of those less fortunate than she. She volunteered her time and love to many service organizations, without remuneration, throughout northern Utah to include the American Fork Training School and the Utah State Prison system. In addition, for many years until the time of her death, Kathleen participated in the Native Navajo Elders Program, adopting a family of 5, and traveling frequently to the Navajo Nation with an abundance of food, gifts, and love. Her work was highly sought after and her plethora of awards speak to her value and effectiveness in those endeavors. If her place in heaven was not already guaranteed, her years of dedicated work at the Columbus Community Center clinched it. In the months leading up to her death, she knew her health was failing and she was often in pain; nevertheless, Kathleen fought with all her might to maintain her presence at Columbus and serve its many clients. Unfortunately, she lost the battle and in so doing, Columbus lost too. Her absence there will be palpable and the clients she served will never forget her.
Kathleen had a strong religious testimony which began in her youth, progressed through her mission, and remained stalwart to the end. She served in numerous church capacities throughout her life, strengthening her testimony, and sharing her beliefs with many others. Just ask her sometimes errant brother to whom she frequently attempted to show the light. He was never blinded by it, but occasionally caught a glimpse. Rest assured, she'll keep trying.
To remember her lovingly, she leaves behind: her brother, Kim, nephew Cameron, Mary Ann Christison, and Teddy; Lura Buist; Jamie and Jason Bohn and the Bohn boys (Jaeden, Teagan, Cameron, Braxton, and Payton); Lindsay and Timothy Pearson and their children, Raynee and Daemian; William Geving and Megan Sawyer and their son, Tripp; Laurie Geving and Kristy Kette, and Sandra Geving. Nephews and nieces include M. Tyler Davenport (Lynell), Tammy Lang (Arnold, deceased), Jennifer Greenhalgh (Carl), Mary Kathleen Johnson (Michael), and Varlo Davenport, Jr. (Andrea).
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake Little Cottonwood Stake Center, 1160 East Vine Street, Murray, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to funeral services. Interment will be in the Vine Bluff Cemetery, Nephi, Utah.
