IN HER HONOR
7/25/1954 - 5/10/2024
Website Submitted Memories (the unheard / unread stories in no set order)
Kathy,
Thank you for all you have done for me over the years. I especially appreciated when you helped me with my clothes… ordering them, shortening them, taking them in… even when you maybe didn’t agree with what I wanted. When I was in Spring Meadows, I appreciated all the times you picked up my groceries and prescriptions. For all the trips to the doctors and hospital, I am extremely grateful – the trip to the doctor/emergency room at Gottlieb was, as it turned out, life saving.
Some of my best moments in life were when you came to Franklin Park and brought me to Naperville. Our talks during the car trip were truly special and I cherish. I so much enjoyed sitting on the patio, while Bill would barbeque, and just take it all in. I did wish we could have done more of that when I moved out to Naperville.
As for you and Bill… I know you love each other. I understood when his loud mouth would get to you, but I too know you do see his good points. Keep working with each other on this.
Well, what more can I say. I entrusted you with my life. Somehow we got through the night of May 4, 2007. I did have some good times after that visiting with Bill and Keith, so I guess that was the way it was supposed to be.
Love, Mom Reed
Story told by Keith Reed (Bill’s brother) in the voice of their mom Glady’s post her passing
May 4th, 2007 was the night Grandma Reed was rushed from Spring Meadows to Edwards Hospital, as her sugar count was out of whack. The nurses kept trying to regulate it, but Grandma was struggling as it would go very high, and then very low to a crash. After several of these ups and downs, Grandma Reed decided she had enough of it and decided no more treatment, and she chose to die instead. We all said our goodbyes and left. So Aunt Denise & I drove your Dad home to the townhouse at about 1:00 in the morning…and your Mom graciously stayed with Grandma Reed to help/guide her through her death (your Mom was her Power of Attorney for Healthcare). So all of us waited at home for the call at home from your Mom to say she had passed away. Well, we all fell asleep and your Mom did call in the morning…to say Grandma Reed was doing just fine and was sitting up and eating breakfast. And Grandma Reed went on to live almost two more years until April 27th, 2009. It made both her and us grateful for every visit after that night.
Keith Reed | Brother of Bill – story to Adam
Kathy & I grew up together surrounded by brothers until the last sister came around. She was 2 years younger than me and we were always grouped together. At times we were polar opposites and at times the best of friends. In childhood we fought and loved each other, shared confidences and totally ignored each other. My mom decided we should learn to sew at a young age and thankfully we both truly loved sewing. Kathy was a professional seamstress and I of course sewed my own clothes but I was much happier sewing for children. If I was altering adult clothing or home goods I knew I could call her or show up at her house and she could teach me what I needed to know.
Mom also decided that we needed to learn to cook and bake. I was the one to enjoy doing that task and Kathy had to clean up because she did not enjoy cooking or baking. Interesting fact that our other sister felt the same way as Kathy. I remember many years later when Kathy got her first kitchen aid mixer she proudly showed it to me saying “Doesn’t that look good in my kitchen? Of course. I laughed and asked her what she uses it for. She said “muffins”. I asked her what else and she replied “muffins”. We had a good laugh. I do know that she eventually really did use it for more than “muffins”. I’m also glad that as a young wife and mother she really started to enjoy cooking. When I visited a few years ago she was so happy with a bean dish she made for her church. She teased me by asking if I would like to try it knowing that I will not eat vegetables and she would not eat meat! We just had a good laugh. Good thing Bill eats meat otherwise I would have gone hungry!!! As we got older, we had our differences but we did love each other. I do miss her!! Since I always texted her to let her know her age (she didn’t remember often) I want to wish her a Happy 70th Birthday Kathy!!
Connie Mortensen | Sibling
Greetings everyone, I’m sorry I’m so late to this thing, but if you look up Recontour in Mr. Webster‘s book of definitions, you’ll not see my picture anywhere in the area.
I am Chuck Mortensen; Kathy was my big sister and as Judy so eloquently put it in her eulogy. I was her baby.
While we’re on the subject of Judy‘s eulogy of Kathy, I’m the unnamed uncle, just to clarify I was not sneaking cake to Adam. He was sitting on my knee, and I was shoveling it in as fast as he could eat it, sure the poor kid would never see another birthday cake until he was 21. He seemed to appreciate it.
Kathy and I grew up together. She was always my protector, my teacher, and my 2nd mother.
We shared many of the same interests, the measles, the chickenpox, and the mumps. We also shared getting vaccines for what at the time they called German measles, which they tell me now is called Rubella, I didn’t like that one so much.
She also taught me many things, riding a bicycle, my ABC’s and that big sisters don’t like little brothers hanging out with them when they’re with their girlfriends. She also tried her damndest to help me correct my penmanship, a feat she never accomplished, mostly because I am left-handed and everybody that taught me how to write was right-handed, including my dear sister, Kathy.
As we grew older and puberty set in, we sort of drifted apart a little bit, but we always kept in touch.
I remember some of the guys she dated, one of them was Bill. I remember her excitement when she said she was going to marry him. As for me, I pitched in and tried to help wherever I could; see the above story with Adam. I’ll never forget the time when Bill asked me to come over to their home in Bensenville and help him remove an old window unit air conditioner so we could replace it with a new one. That had less than desirable results for both me and the spider, which caused Bill to jump across the room leaving me holding the window unit. In the end, I got the thing down on the floor and managed to kill the spider prompting me to tell him never do that again.
Through those years, I myself got married and had four children of my own (never denying any of them cake). Overtime my marriage fell apart my ex and I separated, and I eventually married the second Kathy Mortensen.
Around the same time. There were storms brewing around Kathy and Bill. (At this point to quote Cody Johnson. “Please forgive me. I’m still learnin to be human”), needless to say I was not excited to find out that they decided to get back together.
Our lives took us on separate paths. Kathy and I moved to California, Kathy and Bill for a time, moved to Hawaii then back to Illinois and eventually out to Arizona. In the meantime, we moved from California to Florida.
I spoke and visited with Kathy from time to time on the phone through texts and visiting at family functions. I never saw Bill again until the day of her memorial. I went to Arizona to support my family and Adam and his family; I had no intention of engaging with Bill.
During the ceremony I had aa Epiphany, after seeing all of the people that were engaged with Kathy and Bill 2.0 I realized my trepidations were wrong. Bill and I talked during the ensuing luncheon, And I am proud to say “Bill is my brother-in-law” a statement I never thought would pass my lips. Once again, please forgive me. I felt like Ebeneezer Scrooge with his sister Fan. I hope I never make a mistake like that again.
I’ll close this with Bill, Adam, Jen and Noah, all of Kathy’s friends and family, Believe me when I say Kathy and I are hurting for our loss. Kathy, I’ll miss you forever.
Chuck Mortensen | Sibling
Kathy was like a second mom to me. I met her when I was 16 years old, when she took me under her wing and thought me all she knew about Property Management (yea, and Bill too). But more importantly, she was a great listener and someone I looked to for advice on every day life over daily lunches, especially our Friday Chipotle days. It was clear that I wanted someone like her to be a role model for my daughter, which is why we chose her to be Kinsey’s Godmother. Even though they were apart, Kinsey’s favorite memory of her is sending her pictures, and waiting for a letter to come back in the mail (usually with a special present attached). Kathy always went above and beyond for not only my family, but for anyone she encountered. There’s few people like her in this crazy world, and we sure need more of her. I miss her so much, and Kinsey and I always talk about her when we have our girl time. Love you bunches Kathy xoxo Haley and Kinsey!
Haley Forbes | Family Friend / 5th Avenue Station
Going through our photos, we instantly relived the wonderful times we spent with you, our dear Kathy! Birthdays, theme parties, dinners out, playing games – your presence always made the occasions even more special. You brought so much joy and laughter to our lives, Kathy, and we are better people for knowing you. We miss your laughter, the way your eyes crinkled when you smiled, your humor, your patient nature, the way you listened intently to our conversations, your loving, kind, uplifting and encouraging words. Such a generous soul, giving of your time, your energy, gifts that were both thoughtful and meaningful, always willing to help in any way you could. An excellent example for all of us to follow.
We miss you our dear friend, you will always have a special place in our hearts. May our Heavenly Father keep you safe and give us the strength and peace we need to move forward.
Much love and gratitude
Carmen & Mike Newman | Arizona
If you were lucky enough to know Kathy, then you were lucky to be loved by her. I was lucky enough to have been loved by Kathy for over 35 years as she was like a second mom to me. Everyone that knows Kathy knows that she has two very special pride and joys of her life. The first one being her son Adam which is how I met Kathy. The second one her grandson Noah. Watching Kathy with Noah was just so precious and heartwarming, but the thing Kathy loved so much was that both of her boys share the exact same birthday. Kathy just loved that her boys’ son and grandson were born on the same day and that she could celebrate them both together.
There are so many things that I loved about Kathy, from her smile, to her adorable laugh, to how hard she worked all their businesses, but her beautiful seamstress talent was one of my absolute favorite things about Kathy. Kathy in her spare time which I am not sure where she found that spare time in her working days but when she did wow, she could make beautiful things. I knew for my wedding that I wasn’t going to buy store made things I knew I was going to beg Kathy to somehow in her spare time which back 23 years ago her spare time had to have been when she slept to make me some special items for my wedding day. I am lucky enough to perhaps one day have my daughters wear some of my beautiful pieces like my veil that Kathy made as I will forever treasure all that she has ever made for me.
Kathy you are so loved and will be forever missed by all of us.
“Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must. Not where we want them to.” Richard Russo
Melissa Brummond | Family Friend
My enduring memory of Kathy is of a gentle, kind-hearted soul, who embraced the opportunity to give of herself. Growing up, Kathy was my neighbor, and her son Adam, my brother in spirit. I would most often see Kathy on school days, as Adam and I would shoot hoops, or do whatever we could, to avoid homework. Of course, boys are boys, and we were a handful. We stayed out late. Snuck around — and generally pushed the boundaries of what growing boys could get away with. As such, we made plenty of mistakes growing up. Kathy always saw the good in us, and guided us with love. Always, with love.
Much Love,
Justin
Justin Welnack | Family Friend
Our friend, Kathy’s transitioning, has left us with a void that will not be refilled.
In the time that we have known her, she had always shown us the amazing person that she was, even though she may not always have been at her physical best, she never complained on those days, but continued to serve with great love.
This was never more apparent than on the last day we got together, only 6 days before her physical death. It was an unusual text that our friends, Mike & Carmen Newman, and we received that Saturday morning. Kathy reached out for a spontaneous dinner at Venue. This was unusual because this group’s MO was to plan get togethers at least a week in advance and we were aware that Kathy had been struggling physically and using a walker, nonetheless we were excited to get together and catch up.
The dinner was mixed with laughter and Kathy filling us in on all the things that she and Bill had accomplished the past week. This included making their final arrangements and clarifying their wishes for that time. Among other items, she shared that she had jokingly reminded Adam & Jen that upon her passing she wanted her urn to be placed on their mantle between the urns of their deceased dogs. We chuckled as we had heard that before – No pressure, Adam.
Kathy did not let the evening end without inviting us to their home nearby for coffee, dessert, and Bill’s favorite domino game – The Train (for the sake of being politically correct). She insisted on serving us the special treats she had prepared, even though she seemed to be struggling. They had handmade gifts that she insisted Bill complete before our getting together, which they proudly presented that evening. As always, it was a fun time. As we were leaving, she gave some instructions on things that she wanted some assistance completing that we could help with. Totally oblivious were we that there was a lot of tying up of loose ends transpiring.
And, little did we know that those parting hugs would be the last we would receive from this Beautiful Soul. In our hearts, we believe that she suspected that her time was short, and she wanted us to have one last ‘celebration’. Our ‘tribe’ believes that life is fleeting and in celebrating as many of our special times together as we can.
There are countless stories that exemplify Kathy’s courage, strength (both mentally and physically), intelligence, generosity, dedication to caring for the bodies that both she and Bill were given, and the Great Love and devotion she showed to God, Bill, Adam, Jen, Noah, and those around her.
We would like to share photos from some of the times where we have celebrated Life’s Moments together. Please enjoy those captured here that we now treasure even more than before.
May God grant us Peace as we mourn our loss and celebrate Kathy’s life well lived.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Dear Friend!
With Love, Scott & Monica
Scott & Monica Kane | Arizona
Such a loving, caring friend and group leader. Thankful for knowing Kathy and her indomitable spirit. She loved her Lord and Savior, her time spent in His Word, her Carefree Church family. She was always supportive, a cheerleader, smart, funny, creative, always wanting to help and ready to serve. She set a wonderful example of how to live life to the fullest. She loved her family/friends fiercely and wanted them all to know the Lord. You are loved always and missed so much. Til we see you again in Heaven.❤️
Nancy Shelley | Church
From Nina about Kathy
It is very difficult to write about Kathy in the past tense. It is a bit simpler to say “she used to say”, “we used to do”, “remember how we did this”. I probably will not be able to be consistent here. I apologize for using mixed tenses because Kathy stays with me for the rest of my life. The following is my humble reflection on how much she meant to me and how much she influenced my life – my past, my present and my future.
I am an immigrant and I have lived in US for more than 30 years, but for me it is still a very difficult task to connect to the people of this continent. Personal and truly intimate connections are extremely rare, so rare that I can count mine on one hand. This is why I cherish these connections enormously and this is why Kathy is such a dear friend. She was a person, who really knew me, and to whom I had unrestricted trust.
The first surprise Kathy gave me was when she and Bill came to my rescue when I needed to vacate a house within one weekend in the summer of 2018. Kathy and Bill came and stayed with me for three days, working hard to fulfil a completely impossible task to pack my precious crystals and paintings. To this day I am feeling grateful, remembering how during this memorable weekend Kathy and Bill restored my broken trust in humanity. During the next 6 years, Kathy and Bill helped me a million more times and I will never be able to repay them for their support and for their generous friendship. I will feel my gratitude until the end of my life.
Kathy and I became very close friends and we celebrated together almost all the holidays: every Christmas and every New Year’s Eve. Bill, Kathy and I have our birthdays in July, and we celebrated our birthdays together. So many fun and happy memories were born at these parties!
When I met my husband Brian, one of the first people to whom I introduced him was Kathy. She became my bridesmaid and our wedding was a great success due to her enthusiasm and help. She did such beautiful decoration in the ceremony hall on the day of our wedding! She was a huge part of the best day of my life!
Still these simple visible parts of our lives were just a shell of a true and very deep connection that Kathy and I shared. It is not even possible to talk about all laughs and tears, all shared doubts and small and big resolutions, all insights and fun moments that will be forever in my soul associated with her. Our friendship was very intimate and it gave me so much energy and light. The blessing of her presence will never be gone from my life.
She was a very spiritual person and her faith was a great part of her life. Her connection to the Lord was simple and natural and it made her so very happy. I do believe that she is now in a better place and I believe that the Universe will continue carrying her beautiful energy giving a hope and deeper sense of being to all of us who loved her on this Earth.
Nina Dennison | Family Friend
Kathy loved to brag about her grandson, Noah’s hockey games.
Kathy cared deeply for others. She talked to Denny the day before she died and was very concerned about how he was feeling. She gave him homeopathic suggestions for dealing with pain. Her knowledge of nutrition and holistic remedies was amazing. She provided Denny with lengthy dietary suggestions for his kidneys and diabetes.
We enjoyed attending church about once a month with Kathy and Bill at Carefree Church. She was such a huge help to Bill in all of the cabinetry and woodworking he did for the church. She had good friends in her Bible study group. Kathy also gave Denny a great Bible study resource book. He said it totally was written for the way his brain likes to learn
Gift giving can be very difficult. Kathy gave beautiful, creative, thoughtful gifts.
Kathy was fearless in cutting and hemming Nina’s designer wedding gown. We didn’t know that Kathy had a prior career in a bridal shop. She also revised the bridesmaids’ hair wreaths and made them beautiful.
Kathy looked beautiful, as did the bridesmaids’ hair wreath
Betsy & Denny | Family Friend
When I think of Kathy I think of her big heart. Kathy always made time to stop by to see how I was doing, wanting to know what project I was working on and if she could help, sharing many memorable meals with great conversations. Kathy extended generosity to my daughter by picking her up at the airport when she came to visit me. There was no limit to the kindness Kathy displayed to me and all those who knew her. I am very grateful that Kathy was a part of my life and will remember her with great love.
Kathy Kurgan “KK” | Family Friend
For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Annamarie Bensfield, and I feel blessed to have had Kathy in my life for past 8 years. My dear friend Lorelei introduced Joe and me to Kathy and Bill in 2016 and from that moment on, they quickly became family to Joe and I. Anyone who knew Kathy would agree that she was truly the salt of the earth and an incredible source of wisdom!
Kathy had a remarkable way of giving so much of herself to so many people. She was endlessly generous with her time, resources, knowledge, friendship, and devotion to her church. Time is the most precious gift we can offer, and Kathy embodied this belief wholeheartedly. She always had time for the people she loved, whether it was to lend a hand with a favor or project, support someone through health issues, or address any concern, no matter how big or small. Kathy had a profound dedication to her family, friends, faith, and country.
She continually worked to create a better place for all of us, and her efforts were felt by everyone who knew her. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, an adoring grandmother, and my beautiful, cherished friend. I think of Kathy and the special moments we shared every single day. Her absence leaves a void that will be deeply felt by the entire Bensfield and Rosati families. Kathy, you are dearly missed, and your legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire us all.
Annamarie Bensfield | Family Friend
We were so blessed to spend time with Kathy in Ireland last fall! Her presence was so kind, and her joy at Adam and Jen’s vow renewal celebration simply radiated. Sweet Kathy will be greatly missed but we will remember her positivity and generous spirit, always.
Anya & Travis Chase | Family / Non-Sibling
My memories of Kathy center around the fantastic mima she was to Noah and mother-in-law to Jen. She never missed an opportunity to share wisdom, spend time, help out, or just listen to Noah or Jen, and for that, I am forever grateful. I remember when Noah was little, and both Adam and Jen were working, she would often pick him up from daycare, take him home, feed him, bathe him, and tuck him in at night. This is just one example of what she did to serve their little family, and she loved every minute!
Also, the sugar cookies that she would bring when joining us for Christmas were so delicious! But most of all, I remember her kindness, nonjudgmental attitude, and the way her face would light up when talking about Noah.
Carrie Risse | Family / Non-Sibling
Kathy was such a wonderful woman as you well know. We met back in 2003 when she hired our daughter Haley at 5th Avenue Station. She treated Haley as if she was her daughter. Even tho we didn’t see her often, she was always there for Haley. Kinsey Haley’s daughter adored her. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
Merry Smith | 5th Avenue Station
In Chicago, we had very questionable neighbors, with loud music and large backyard bond fires. When we moved to Naperville we were hopeful, and our prayers were answered. Kathy and Bill were perfect. Kathy helped us remodel our bathrooms with great suggestions and advice. Every year Kathy would walk on our two story townhouse roof to see if our gutters and dryer vent were clear. Bill, if you visit Naperville you will always be welcomed.
Jack & Chris Tarretta | Neighbor
Had the chance to visit with Uncle Bill and Aunt Kathy October 2023 in AZ. The picture here was taken at the baseball field where they came to watch me play several games. Boy did those 2 look happy! We had great meals together that week and I am so fortunate to have had this time spent with Kathy – and Bill 🙂
Rob Reed | Family / Non-Sibling
Kathy was such a dear friend…. a chance meeting in Maui, Hawaii. My husband and I had vacation rentals, Kathy and Bill had reservations at a private home, when they got to Maui it had been double booked, one of our booking agents was frantically trying to find them a place, they called us…. we had a vacancy… a wonderful friendship began that day. Bill and Richard had a immediate connection… Kathy and I as well. Some people come into your lives for a reason…. we had so many good times. Kathy and Bill came and stayed with us every year after than in January. It was like “old friends” visiting every year. We have such fond memories through the years. Kathy and Bill remarried on our front lawn overlooking the ocean… it was so special. When they moved to Arizona, we kept up our yearly visits. We had such great times. Kathy was an amazing seamstress, there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. Kathy you will be missed forever… thank you for being such a wonderful friend to us. We love you Janna and Richard
Janna Hoehn | Hawaii
Sharing! I remember sharing with Kathy. As sisters we shared many things; traits, habits, laughs, wine, meals, a love of avocados and black beans, memories, gossip sessions, b!+*# sessions (as only sisters can, lol), a set of jewelery handed down from our parents, and time. Sadly, we didn’t get enough time….. But the joy was in the sharing itself! A smile, a joke, a running conversation, whatever it was, she was happy to share it. I think back on soooo many things and what will always remain in my heart are the times we shared and the laughs we had. The most prevalent memory is her smiling face whenever we were together! 🩷
Judy Chepeus | Sibling
I joined Kathy’s Carefree Church small group in April. Though I only had the blessing of being with her twice, I saw the amazing, generous, Spirit-filled woman she was. She made those around her better people. Kathy will be missed. 🩷
Jennifer Williams | Church
Bill, We will always cherish our fun night at Saddle Bronc Grill in Fountain Hills. What “Dudes and Dolls” we were!
Sue Widman | Family Friend
Bill, Adam, Jen, Noah, Our thoughts and prayers continue for all of you. We feel blessed for all the fun and special times we’ve had with Kathy and all of you. Kathy was a very special lady and a true and wonderful friend to us. Her memories will forever be treasured by us. We hope all your many memories of an incredible wife, mother, and grandmother bring you all comfort and peace in the days ahead. Our hearts and love are with you all.
Sue Widman | Family Friend
Bill, We will cherish forever being able to share your beautiful Hawaiian wedding with you and Kathy and family. You are our treasured friends forever. Kathy will be deeply missed, but always close in our hearts. Here are a few special wedding memories.
Aloha, Chuck and Sue
Sue Widman | Family Friend
Unfortunately, while searching my photos, I wasn’t able to find any of Kathy and for good reason. The many photos I have instead, are of fun times together with Adam and Jen. Our backyards butted up next to Jen and Adam and we had some fun, no doubt!! Kathy graciously volunteered her time to babysitting our 2 little guys, so we could go out on date nights, date days, golfing, countless New Years Eves. Truth be told, I’m not sure who looked more forward to our time away, the boys, us, or Kathy. She would plan SO many activities while we were away. New Years Eve countdowns, silly string, fireworks, Learning Express toys and books, science experiments… She was amazing. Our kids always looked forward to their time together. She was SO patient and SO kind and just had the most genuine smile and soft laugh.
In addition to her watching our boys and loving them, she also loved us. So many fun patio nights, dinners, fun girl time where we’d laugh and laugh. She loved Jen like a daughter and took such pride in Adam. Noah would just light up her whole face. She was amazing and I’m so lucky to have known such a sweet soul. Forever Remembered Kathy!!!
Love to you all this week!
Tiffany and boys
One more thing… While she WAS oh so kind and generous, she was also a little bougie. 🙂
I remember one of the first times I met her, I was telling her I had been grocery shopping at Walmart. She told me she had never shopped there, she preferred boutiques. I remember, thinking, who is this woman??? Then I got to know her and yep, she was right. She wasn’t a Walmart shopper! Love her! 🙂
Tiffany Bolhouse | Family Friend
My memories of Kathy will always be special. We were fortunate in the “60’s” to grow up in the same neighborhood on Atlantic Street in Franklin Park. In fact, Kathy and her family lived just four doors down from us. The families in our neighborhood played together and sat outside on their front porches and talked, especially in the summertime. Kathy was one of ten kids in her family, so the Mortensen’s supplied our neighborhood very well! Our father, Warren Reed, passed away in 1970, so Kathy is the only spouse (let alone any of our kids or grandkids) who actually knew our father, and I always appreciated that she at least knew him.
As life continued in the early 70’s, all of us kids would still talk on the porches and eventually the hormones kick in and before you know it Kathy and I are going for walks, holding hands, and later went to movie night at Elmhurst College and out to eat a sandwich at Russell’s BBQ. It was a nice time. However, the interesting part became my brother Bill. The following week he kept asking me…how was your date? Are you going to ask her out again? And if I wasn’t going to ask her out again, I was a big fool…she is so cute and so nice, etc. I said we had a fun time, but if you like her so much, why the heck don’t you just ask her out yourself! Well the fact is, he actually did, and as the saying goes, the rest is history. Before you knew it he was picking her up for lunches at work on Saturdays in his 1970 Chevy Malibu, Forest Green with a vinyl top, at True Value Hardware and later at the Franklin Park Bank. As these were the early days of the youthful awakening, our Mom, Gladys Reed, was always “a concerned” parent, and they used to go into our basement a lot “to talk”. So Mom would inevitably suggest I go into the basement to check up on them…for example…”go downstairs and shine your work shoes”. Well, to say the least, I had the shiniest shoes in town! Their Wedding was in the fall of 1973 and Adam wasn’t born until 1976…so I guess I did a good job!
Life is good in their first home in Bensenville and then onto Naperville. In the mid 1980’s they open their first candy store (Nut & Candy Shanty) and later a toy store (Toysicles). Their stores were amazing and special and our kids received many wonderful Birthday/Christmas presents that even our grandkids enjoy today. However, all the stress of opening and running retail stores together seven days a week, and trying to be good parents, takes its toll and sadly you end up divorced. But eventually through talk, hard work and the grace of forgiveness…an unending love finds its way back together and they remarry in 2006. I must say, I was never more proud of my brother to find the strength to admit where he had been wrong, and for Kathy to open her heart back up to what were the special and unique qualities about Bill to her.
Their approach this second time around was masterful. They knew what was right for themselves, but also sought common ground to be together. I remember how they discussed where best to locate for good…Hawaii, Naperville, Texas, Arizona, etc. And eventually they established their final location together in Cave Creek, Arizona. How wonderful it has been for them…exhaling wonderful comments about friends, projects, restaurants and most importantly how they raved about their church…Carefree Church. It was so wonderful when I spoke with Bill that so many times he would say… WE are making and eating breakfast, WE are sore from working on the rock wall, WE went for a hike this morning, WE were working all day on making shelving for church, WE went out to… It all became about WE. Interestingly, I looked back at the last texts I shared with Kathy on the pictures she sent of the church bookcases. After I praised the beautiful project, her very last response was…”WE do it together”. When both Bill & Kathy used the word WE, it always brought me back to the words of a favorite Neil Diamond song of mine called…WE. The opening verse goes…
- Love is all about chemistry
- Isn’t something you go off to school to learn
- It isn’t math or ancient history
- It’s the kind of thing that comes down to simple terms
- It’s not about you
- It’s not about me
- Love is all about WE
- Yes. It’s all about WE.
Kathy always remained a very positive person and she was good for Bill. Please pray for my brother as he adjusts to mortal life without his Kathy. He has such amazing creative talents and I pray that God encourages him to continue to let them show.
Rest In Peace Dear Kathy…it was my pleasure knowing you.
Keith Reed | Brother of Bill