Mary Katherine Steuart

Mary Katherine Steuart, lovingly known as "Kitty," was born on March 28, 1951, to Dr. Alfred Stone and Marie Stone in Boise. From the very beginning, she brought music, warmth, and light into the world. Kitty played the piano, loved horses, and carried a joyful, curious spirit that never left her.
Kitty grew up in Boise, Idaho, and following in the footsteps of her father graduated from Boise High School in 1969. She later attended the College of Idaho, where she formed many lifelong friendships. She was known for her quick wit, kind sense of humor, quirky charm, and radiant, welcoming smile. Kitty graduated from the College of Idaho in 1973 and later attended Boise State University, where she earned her Associate of Science in Nursing.
Kitty married Greg Coursey, and together they had one son, Matthew Coursey, known as Max. She later married Dr. Charles "Fuzzy" Steuart. Through that marriage, Kitty gained four children who became her own: Matt Steuart, Mark Steuart, John Steuart, and Cathy Steuart. Kitty and Fuzzy also welcomed a daughter together, Alison Dorsey. Alison, like her mother, graduated from Boise High School and the College of Idaho, and later married Eli Dorsey, who was like a son to Kitty.
Kitty adored her five grandchildren, with whom she created countless joyful memories filled with love and laughter. Stella, Lola, and Maddox Coursey, and Maeve and Lennie Dorsey were the most precious gems in the crown of Kitty's beautiful life.
After Kitty and Fuzzy divorced, she met the final love of her life, Mike Atkinson. Introduced as new coworkers while both working as nurses, legend has it that Kitty greeted Mike with jazz hands and an exuberant hello. From that moment on, they were inseparable. Mike brought two daughters into Kitty's life, Annie and Jenny, whom she loved deeply.
Together, Mike and Kitty built a life centered on curiosity, travel, their dogs, books, music, and a shared commitment to kindness and being positive stewards of the world. Mike became lovingly known as both "Who-He" and "Papa Mike" to consecutive sets of grandchildren, while Kitty was known simply as "Yaya." She was a joyful, fully engaged grandmother, brimming with exuberance and playful creativity.
Kitty devoted her professional life to caring for others, working as an oncology nurse and later as a medical malpractice consultant. Ironically and cruelly, life dealt her pancreatic cancer. With grace and strength, she met it head-on. The illness progressed slowly enough for her to enjoy what became the summer vacation of her life—a beachside stay in San Diego with those she loved most. She spent Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by love and in high spirits, never losing her ability to make a joke. Always able to find a silver lining, she even crafted a stick figure using her own fallen hair.
Her final act of grace was the way she approached her passing—with honesty, dignity, and deep care for those she loved. Kitty was kind, free-spirited, intellectual, and never took herself too seriously. The world has lost a spark of joy and laughter, and all who knew her are better for having shared in her light.
She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to have known her. Kitty said there would be signs or signals from her once she was on the other side—and it appears she was right.
A service celebrating Kitty's life will be held on February 24, 2026, starting at 11am at the Warm Springs Golf Course Clubhouse.