Katherine Grace Zeliger

Katherine Grace Zeliger, known to everyone as Katie, passed away peacefully at her home on January 15, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. She was 56 years old.
Born on June 4, 1969, in Meridian, Mississippi, Katie grew up in San Carlos, California. She attended Arundel, Tierra Linda, and Central schools before graduating from Carlmont High School. During her youth, she expressed her creativity through music and movement — playing the violin, swimming with the summer swim team, and dancing with the San Carlos School of Ballet.
A woman of exceptional intellect and deep purpose, she graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in Political Science and went on to earn both a Juris Doctor and a Master's in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. She practiced law with a passion for protecting the natural world before transitioning to her most cherished life's work: being a mother.
Katie bravely faced a long and difficult battle with brain cancer. She was a true fighter in every sense of the word — defying the odds, outliving expectations, and meeting each challenge with indomitable strength. Her perseverance during this time was a profound gift to her family, granting them precious "bonus" years and memories that will be treasured forever.
Katie was a lover of nature, an avid traveler, and a friend to everyone she met along the way. Whether exploring a new trail or discovering a new country, she lived with an open heart and a curiosity that inspired all who knew her. Her bright smile and sense of humor will never be forgotten.
She is survived by her three cherished children, William, Caroline, and Sadie, who were the light of her life and her greatest joy. She loved them beyond measure and was endlessly proud of the remarkable individuals they are becoming. She is also lovingly remembered by her mother, Connie Buchanan; her sister, Sarah Pederson (Charlie); her brother, Mike Buchanan (Sarah Hogan); and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she held close to her heart. She was preceded in death by her father, John G. Buchanan, whom she deeply loved and missed.
A celebration of Katie's extraordinary life will be held at Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos, CA on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made to Planned Parenthood, OneLife Counseling, and/or UCSF Sheri Sobrato Brain Cancer Survivor Program