Kathleen Ludolph

1927 - 2013

Kathleen Magovern Ludolph
Dec. 1, 1927 - Sept. 7, 2013
Resident of Walnut Creek
Kay passed away peacefully at Creekside Cottage in Petaluma, where she lived for the past 1 1/2 years. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Kay moved with her family to Houston, Texas, then to Oakland, CA, where she graduated from Technical High School at the age of 16. She met her future husband, Bill Ludolph, at U.C. Berkeley, and they were married in 1948. After graduating with honors from U.C., Kay taught English at Berkeley's Garfield Junior High for three years, and then left to raise a family with Bill. When the children were older, she worked for 20 years as the public affairs manager for the Contra Costa County Office of Education. In retirement, she was a volunteer teacher aide and reading tutor for children and adults. Kay and Bill lived in their Walnut Creek home for over 50 years, and loved being with their children and grandchildren, entertaining family and friends, traveling to many different countries, gardening, and listening to music. Both were avid readers, and Kay belonged to a book group. She was a past member of AAUW, and was a member and past president of the Northern California School Public Relations Association. Kay was predeceased by her dear husband Bill, and sweet daughter DeeDee, as well as her brothers, Bob and Ed Magovern, and her sister, Marian Dove. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Chavez, husband, Patrick, and their children Derek and Ryan; her son, William Martin Ludolph, his wife, Kim, and their daughter, Miranda; her sister-in-laws Letty Magovern, Nancy Dealey, and Joyce Ludolph; her brother-in-laws Jim Ludolph, and Larry Dealey; and many nieces and nephews. She will always be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother. She practiced "random acts of kindness" throughout her life, and was a champion for public education, and many social issues she deemed important. She is dearly missed by her family, and will be forever in our hearts. We were blessed to have her in our lives. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Kay's life on Sat. Oct. 5th, 1:00 p.m., at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, in Berkeley. Donations in her memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, or to a school of your choice.