Kathleen Bartley

Kathy Bartley
November 28, 1949 – October 20, 2025
Kathy Bartley passed away peacefully in Bellingham, Washington, where she made her home for over 40 years. Born in Boston, she grew up in a lively Irish Catholic family before heading to San Bernardino with her family when she was still young. She later built a life in Escondido, Reno, and Truckee, and ultimately found her groove-and her peace-among the islands and inlets of the Puget Sound.
Kathy was an independent force of nature: a woman of the 60s and 70s, she was shaped by the music, politics, and counterculture movements of her time. With her radiant smile and sparkling blue eyes, she had a magnetic presence that drew people in. A bohemian adventure seeker and lifelong camper who could set up the coziest, most efficient campsite faster than anyone you've ever met. She was an expert bookkeeper with flawless handwriting and a fierce and sassy lady with an easy laugh.
To know Kathy was to know her sandalwood and patchouli, her admired cast iron collection and her beloved flowers and plants. She loved a game of cards after dinner with her mother and daughters, hosting big family holidays, and writing the sappiest birthday cards that could make anyone cry. She believed in environmental stewardship, liberal values, and in teaching her daughters that women could do anything - especially on their own.
Kathy gave love fully. She had a soft spot for the underdog and would take on anyone's pain just to make their load lighter. Her sense of humor was unmatched, her presence unforgettable, and her resilience unmistakable. If you'd like to honor her, light a candle or a stick of incense, take a quiet walk overlooking the water, or cook something decadent and share it with someone you love.
She is survived by her daughters, Allison and Lacey Henry; her cherished grandchildren, Isabella, Charlie, and Rocky; her brothers Johnny, Tommy, Stevie, Matt, and Joe; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends on both coasts who will miss her bold spirit. She is reunited with her parents, Charles and Madeline, whom she loved deeply, and her oldest brother Charlie.
A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, please share your memories, stories, and reflections here on her tribute wall. Whether it's a moment of laughter or a favorite anecdote, your words will help keep her story alive-exactly how she'd want it.
For those wishing to show support, contributions in lieu of flowers may be made on GoFundMe to give Kathy the peaceful sendoff she deserves: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-kathy-bartley