Kathy Elaine Adamich

Kathy Elaine Adamich passed away at her home surrounded by family members on July 15, 2017 after a courageous battle with ALS. Kathy was born on September 18, 1951 to her parents Ray and Elaine Isard in Omaha, Neb. She was married to William (Bebe) Adamich on September 18, 1973. Kathy and Bebe shared many adventures in their 43 years together. They have two sons, Andrew Ray and Timothy James. Their daughter died shortly after birth. Kathy lived in a variety of places including Florida, Michigan, Kansas, Jamaica, Colorado, Arkansas and Alaska. She graduated from Western State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching and she earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Development from University of Colorado Denver. Kathy taught preschool in Gunnison for many years. Kathy was involved in the grassroots for Tenderfoot Child and Family Center at Western State University in Gunnison. Later in her career, she fulfilled her dream to go to Alaska to teach. After moving to Alaska, Kathy taught special education at Gruening Middle School in Eagle River. She enjoyed participating in Alaskan experiences and cultures. In addition to her full-time teaching, Kathy was a part-time florist in Gunnison and Eagle River where she created floral arrangements for numerous friends and organizations. Kathy and her husband were actively involved with many Gunnison community organizations including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, foster care and their church for years. She was active in Beta Sigma Philadelphia and Delta Kappa Gamma. Family was an important part of Kathy’s life and she was actively involved with her two sons and four grandsons. Kathy was honored to participate in many important events in their lives. Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, flower design, gardening, and reading. Kathy is survived by her husband Bebe, sons Andrew and fiancé Ingrid, Timothy and partner Julian, grandsons Andres, DeAndre, Kaleb and Christian, sister Susan Mahaney and her husband Bill, sisters-in-law Jimette Copp-Keenan, Judy Pepper, and Francine Arcieri, many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count. Kathy was preceded in death by her newborn daughter, parents, Ray and Elaine Isard, grandparents, George and Ida Knapp, Ray and Lucille Isard, and sister Connie Nelson. A Celebration of Life for Kathy will take place on Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Good Samaritan, 307 West Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colo. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations can be made to the ALS Association (www.alsa.org/donate) or American Cancer Society.