Katherine Reback King

KATHERINE REBACK KING of Stamford, and Beverly Hills, California lost her fight with a rare form of cancer on May 24, 2010. A loving wife, loyal friend, talented writer and poet, gourmand, life-long Democrat, ardent Lakers fan and so much more, Katherine was predeceased by her father and mother, Daniel and Naomi(Joy) Reback, and sister, Jane Reback Stickney. She is survived by her husband of fifteen years, Sonny King; her nephews Jay and David Stickney; cousins Deborah and Jan Weingrad, Jimmy, Laura and Jonathan Kanter; step children Stacy, Sal and Stephen King; and beloved cat, Harry. Katherine also adored her great nieces and nephews Lydia, Elinor, Zachery and Noah Stickney and her granddaughter, Sophie King Nichols. Born August 12, 1950, Katherine grew up in Stamford, among her large, extended family. In her essay, "The Pomegranate," (www.oneforthetable.com) Katherine describes the warmth of her childhood home, her father's wit and wisdom, her mother's love, and her sister's laughter. The essay begins: My mother had a way of inventing traditions. 'It's Lizzie's birthday!' she'd proclaim periodically and everyone in the family would don a party hat and sing happy birthday to one of our English Springer Spaniels. The announcement of the dog's birth and subsequent celebration of it could occur at any time - on April 5, say, or December 12. It could happen twice a year or once every few years. But however haphazard, it became a tradition. Katherine graduated from Low Heywood School, moved to the big city (New York) and obtained her degree from Columbia University. While Katherine would later plant her roots firmly in California for a lengthy career writing movies and television, she always treasured her time, family and friends in Connecticut and New York. A longtime member of the Writers Guild of America, Katherine's professional career began in the office of Alan King in the mid 1970s and spanned decades. She wrote for such situation comedies as the The Line and One Day at a Time. In addition to her work in television, she also wrote for motion pictures. In the course of her work on projects for all the major studios, she wrote the production draft of Flashdance, as well as the original story and screenplay for Fools Rush In. Katherine also published poems and essays and wrote speeches. An active and dedicated Democrat, she served as a speechwriter for candidate Bill Clinton during his first presidential election campaign. Katherine had a terrific sense of humor and tremendous style. She never shied from a fight, and believed passionately about causes that were larger than herself. She supported myriad charities and served as board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Services to remember Katherine will be held on Friday, May 28 at 11 a.m. at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford. Separately, a memorial is being planned for the near future in Los Angeles, and details will follow. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.