BARBIERI, Kathryn Kimmel (Age 92) After a happy and active life, Kathryn Kimmel Barbieri passed away on March 4th, three days before her 93rd birthday, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death in 1997 by her loving husband Lou. She is survived by her seven children, Dick Barbieri (Lyn), Mary Kay Barbieri (Linda), Don Barbieri (Sharon), Ann Bell (David), Jan McAvoy (Jim), Tom Barbieri (Eileen), Mark Barbieri (Heather), and daughter-in-law Heather Barbieri. Known to her friends as Kay, she is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, her sister Babe Lee, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A lifelong Spokane resident, Kay was born on March 7, 1920 to George and Margaret Kimmel. Kay's grandfather came to the Pacific Northwest in 1889 as a carpenter to help rebuild Spokane after the Great Fire, making her great grandchildren sixth generation Spokanites. While attending Holy Names College in 1936 she met the love of her life, Lou Barbieri, while he was an undergrad at Gonzaga University. After he graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 1940, she and Lou were married. Kay was a fervent Gonzaga supporter and fan and would have been proud that, on the day she passed away, the Zags reached #1 in the national polls. When Kay celebrated her 90th birthday, she insisted that her children join her in Las Vegas for the WCC basketball tournament. Kay served on numerous community boards and volunteered for Sacred Heart Medical Center, the Spokane Symphony, St. Ann's Children's Home, her parishes and her children's schools. She also served as a member of Gonzaga's Performing Arts Committee and the Jundt Art Museum as a board member and docent. Kay was an avid reader and lifetime learner, instilling the value of education in all she touched. She attended classes at Gonzaga University well into her 80s. While her loving touch is evident throughout the community, her first love was always her family. Kay also had a love of travel and adventure, often dragging her husband around the world. That same sense of adventure, and a love of the water, led to Kay and Lou's purchase of a lot at Priest Lake in 1957. For the next five years Kay and her children would spend their summers at the lake in a two room bunkhouse with no electricity, running water, or phone. These times are fondly remembered as some of the best, and set the foundation for a lifetime at Priest Lake. This created a legacy for her family that includes a love of the lake, the great outdoors, summer storms and power outages. A vigil service will be held on March 14th at 7 pm at Gonzaga Prep's Chapel of the Three Companions. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Aloysius Church on Gonzaga University's campus on Friday March 15th at 3 pm, immediately followed by a reception across the plaza at Cataldo Hall. An interment ceremony will be held for family at Holy Cross Cemetery on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities of Spokane or Gonzaga Prep's scholarship fund. Please visit Kay's online tribute at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com, and leave a message of condolence. Arrangements entrusted to:

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Published by Spokesman-Review from Mar. 7 to Mar. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn BARBIERI

6 Entries

Sandy Anderson Johnson

March 2, 2020

When the note came up today about Kathryn I,had been considering driving up to Diamond Lake - and a memory of Kathern sitting on the dock at the Cabin the little kids playing in the water and how kind she treated me - just the kid that lived at the lake.

March 14, 2013

I knew Kay when I was a young girl at Diamnd Lake when the Barbieri's would be at the lake in the Rasque cabin at Elu Beach in the early late 40"s or early 50"s I was probably 12 or 14 years old. On occasion I baby sat children and,if my memory serves me right, there were 3 at the time. However, what I want to share is the impression that the young married Kay Barbieri made - She was a gracious lady of great kindness and understanding of a lonely kid. She took time to talk to me and to listen. I have often hoped that I have grown up to be one half as kind and gracious as this woman was to me to others. Her legacy is that - one of kindness and care. I know she will be missed but perhaps it will warm her children's heart to know that 50 some years later her gracious gift of friendship is still remembered and cherished. Sandy (Anderson) Johnson

March 8, 2013

Dear Barbieri Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We all remember Kay and Lou and all the family when we were neighbors at Priest Lake.

Take care. The Dunlap Family

March 8, 2013

All my love and prayers to the family. I love my aunt Kathryn and always tried to remain in touch Love to you all. Kathleen Petty. Anchorage Alaska. Please keep in contact. Miss you. Kathy. 907,223 4440.

Kathy & Brian Fair

March 7, 2013

Kay is one of God's helpers now, working miracles. May God comfort all of Kay's family during this difficult time.

Pat Stapleton

March 7, 2013

To the entire Barbieri family-

My heart goes out to all of you. I am very thankful and honored to have known Kay. She was an absolute breath of fresh air and had an incredible love of life and family….truly a model for all. I hope that over time your tears of sadness will be replaced with memories that will bring laughter and smiles. Hugs to all of you.

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