Kathleen Joyce Harvey Piper

“I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you...” Philippians 1 

Kathleen Joyce Harvey Piper passed away in her home surrounded by her daughter, son-in-law, and 2 dogs on October 10, 2023, due to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. She was 79 years old.  

Kathy was born on May 5, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland.  She was the first of four children of Dorothy and William Harvey.  In 1946, Kathy and her twin sisters Patricia and Pamela moved with their parents to Orono, Maine where her father taught in the engineering department at the University of Maine.  Three years later, the family moved to the Midwest when he accepted a similar position at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  Kathy and her sisters attended primary school in Madison.  In 1957, the family moved once again when William Harvey shifted his career to the ministry and served as priest at St. James Episcopal Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Michigan.  After graduating from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, in 1962, Kathy attended nearby Lakeland College and earned a degree in Sociology.  She worked as a waitress in hotels in Glacier National Park during the summers of 1964 and 1966 before taking a full-time position as a social worker for Manitowoc County Social Services.  In 1969, she moved to California for a short time, before settling in Westminster, Colorado early in the 1970s.  There, Kathy worked in an administrative position for the city police.  At that time, her springer spaniel dogs, Jake and Zandy, were her beloved companions.   

In 1978, Kathy married Jack Piper, and soon after the couple moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where Jack was employed in sales for a clothing firm and the couple were active members at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.  While in the Southwest, Kathy and Jack enjoyed visiting nearby pueblo communities and Mesa Verde National Park. In 1980, they welcomed a daughter, Jaclyn. In 1981, they moved to Salt Lake City where Jack took a position as counsellor at an alcohol treatment center. Kathy worked in the insurance industry in Salt Lake, was active at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, and the family enjoyed vacations in the mountains of Wyoming and Utah. In her retirement she helped care for a beloved friend, Tom Littlefield, in his home, building a lifelong friendship with his family, Steve and Elizabeth Littlefield, and their beloved dog, Gracie.  

Kathy’s last years were spent in her home with the support and love of Jaclyn and Shelby, along with care from her Quality Hospice team and Home Instead caregivers. The family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to Becca and Shona with Home Instead, and Becky, Rachel, Wendy, Maria, Crystal, Lisa, Charlotte, and Dr. Memon with Quality Hospice. With this tremendous support we were able to honor mom’s wishes to stay in her own home comfortably.  

A special thanks to the University of Utah’s Supportive and Palliative Care program for making a memorial donation to the Humane Society of Utah – this honors my mother’s love of animals.  

And a sincere thank you to the Reverend Holly Huff of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark. Your presence was the calm in the storm that brought much peace to our family. Thank you for your kind words and gentle presence.  

In her last years she travelled with Jaclyn and Shelby to Flaming Gorge, Yuba Lake, Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons, and parts of Utah’s west desert in their camp trailer. It was her love of the outdoors that kindled her children’s love of camping. The memories we have of these family trips sustain us, combined with the joyful and unpredictable antics her dementia bestowed upon us throughout the years.  

A most heartfelt tribute must be made to Kathy’s son-in-law, Shelby Williams. She loved you as her own son, and always felt safe and cared for when you were around. I am forever grateful for the gifts of safety, comfort, and of course humor, you gave her. My beloved, I could not have done any of this without you.  

My mother restored my faith, something I believed was irreparable. She was gentle when all else was sharp or rough; she was the rock that had been worn away by wind and storms – her rough edges smoothed by the adversity in her life. She was a remarkable woman whom I hope truly knew how loved she was, how admired she was. She became the center of our world these past 3 years; without her, we continue to seek her spirit in the mountains, the woods, and the deserts. Of course, with our dogs.  

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Piper, parents William and Dorothy Harvey, twin sisters Pamela Harvey and Patricia Beck, daughter-in-law Shar Piper, and many beloved dogs whom she met joyfully at the Rainbow Bridge. She is survived by her daughter Jaclyn Piper-Williams (Shelby) and granddogs Oakley and Ollie of Salt Lake City; stepson John Piper of Denver, CO; stepson Will (Sue) of St. George, UT; niece Tara Beck of Redondo Beach, CA; brother, Mark Harvey (Gretchen) of Vershire, Vermont; grandchildren Tiffany, Monica (Kayla), and Jackson along with great grandchildren Billy, Nolan, Jack, Tucker and Logan.

A celebration of life will be held on May 3, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 at the Chateau at Le Jardin (1910 E 10600 S) , Larkin Sunset Gardens, followed by a graveside service. She will be inurned beside her husband, Jack.  

Those wishing to view the service can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/-o_J2zbjwHHE-XXC9K1b_vzX3fL-GaD9Y4I2QXiixDrLB5bHRJFUz18xYt-ov_44.GqNRBR-uI4X2kyGx?startTime=1714764623000