Katheryn Allison Dockson

pu,sgobits2 DOCKSON-Katheryn Allison Dockson, Beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away on November 14, 2007 at the age of 89. Her beautiful smile and contagious laughter will be missed by all those who knew her. Katheryn was born in San Francisco on Saint Patrick's day in 1918 . Her family moved to Glendale in 1920 and it was there she attended school, graduating from Glendale College. During and after World War II she attended USC, taking courses in which she had an interest. After a brief courtship, she married Robert Dockson on March 4th, 1944. After the war, Katheryn worked at Cal Tech while her husband completed his graduate studies at USC. Their beloved daughter, Kimberlee, was Kay's pride and joy. From Kim's birth until she went off to college, Kay was a full time mothe r. She guided Kim through the formative years and took much pride in Kim's many accomplishments. Kay loved to decorate and furnish the various homes the family lived in and in the early years enjoyed gardening, participating in various sports, mainly golf and tennis, and playing bridge with her many friends. During the fifties and sixties she became active in Town and Gown and other campus organizations at USC. She relished participating in the academic life. Hosting many parties where faculty and busine ss leaders were special guests was one of her favorite activities. She loved people, regardless of their nationality or their station in life. In June of 1969, her husband left academia and entered the business world and Kay became the ideal executive wife. She enjoyed being a participant in the many community activities in which they were involved. Her involvement with the people and events at USC and Pepperdine were always rewarding and much appreciated by her. Besides her family, Katheryn was a gre at admirer of Trojan football and the Trojan Marching Band. A marching band scholarship is in her name. She enjoyed being a member of the Assistance League of Pasadena and Anaheim where she belonged to several bridge groups. Their house in Vancouver Island in British Columbia served as their summer vacation home. Katheryn appreciated the more relaxed life in Canada and when there she would always find an excuse to go fishing for salmon and trout. They often had guests from Southern California and she lov ed introducing friends to the thrill of salmon fishing. She and her husband traveled widely and wherever they would go she made friends and enjoyed the exposure to different cultures. Trips to Australia, Alaska, Africa and the Greek Islands with Kim and her family were very, very special. She loved watching the grandchildren react to different environments and whenever possible she participated in the fun and games. At the age of 79 in 1997 she was photographed jet skiing with her daughter on the Aegean Sea. She always wanted to try to keep up with the "kids" and they loved her for it. The love of Katheryn's life were her husband of nearly 64 years, their beloved Kimberlee and her husband Robert Rollo, and her four grandchildren, Robert 32; Jonathan 29; Katheryn 26 and Patrick 24. All will miss "Grammie" very much and will remember her fondly for the rest of their lives. Her much loved sister, Mary Frances Bartron, lives in Santa Barbara at the age of 94. Kay loved and enjoyed her sister's three sons, Barr y, Jerry and Kerry with all of her heart. Her positive attitude and cheerful outlook on life rounded out her wonderful personality. In lieu of flowers, Katheryn requested that any donations be sent to the Trojan Marching Band at USC or the Assistance League of Pasadena. In 2006 her husband dedicated his autobiography to Katheryn stating that "she is the principal reason I am able to say, 'I envy no man'." Service to be held Friday, November 23, 2007, 11:00 am at SkyRose Chapel, Gate #1. Interment a t Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA.