Kathleen SAENZ

1957 - 2017

SAENZ, Kathleen
Kathleen Saenz, 57, beloved sister, loyal friend, passed away tragically on February 3, 2015. She was fearless, smart, beautiful, witty, fierce, and proud of her Mexican heritage. She drew strength from our Chichimeca ancestors and the spirits of generations of curanderas and brujos. Kathleen was committed to doing the right thing and displayed managerial courage in the face of bureaucracy. She was a handful.

She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, Texas. Kathleen graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts (English and Technical Writing) from the University of Texas at Austin. She was a Certified Mediator. Kathleen touched many lives through her thirty-four years of work at the City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development department, City Manager's Office, Finance department, and Public Library. She was a relentless advocate for the community, her co-workers, and when a supervisor, for her staff.

When Hurricane Katrina evacuees came to Austin, Kathleen did not hesitate to volunteer. She lived at the Austin Convention Center for weeks providing food, clothes, bedding, and referrals to housing, social and medical services.

Kathleen was an avid collector of Jade Foo Dogs, Fiesta ware, Kenneth Jay Lane, Nicky Butler, and Raku pottery by local artist Sharon Smith. She enjoyed music, reading, films, politics, researching and writing grants, and raising a series of stray dogs.

She planned to travel with friends and assist with local theater productions. Kathleen was skilled in costume and set design, staging, and lighting. She was also a talented make-up artist.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her mother and father, Martha Ramirez Saenz of Falfurrias, Texas and Jimmy Saenz, Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas. In addition, she is preceded in death by maternal grandparents Gregoria de la Luna Villarreal Ramirez and Leobardo Garcia Ramirez; and fraternal grandparents Adela Gonzalez Saenz of Corpus Christi, Texas and Jose Santiago Saenz of Camargo, Mexico.

She is survived by her sister, Drusilla Saenz, brother-in-law, Niels V. Saustrup of Austin, and Diana Ramirez Salinas of San Antonio who was a raised as a sister. We welcome donations in her name to the Austin Humane Society.

To share memories, photographs, or condolence with Kathleen's family please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.