Kathe Swift Lesamiz

Kathe Swift Lesamiz, 53, of Okanogan, Washington, formerly of Olympia, died peacefully on Thursday, June 26, 2003, of brain cancer. Born March 28, 1950 in Seattle, Washington to John "Dave" Swift and Mary Kay (Robbins) Swift, she was the second oldest of fifteen children. She attended St. Michael's School in Olympia, Lydia Hawk Elementary, and Chinook Junior High, and graduated from St. Placid High School in 1968. While still in high school Kathe was on the Fashion Board at Peoples Department Store. After graduating from high school she went to New York for a short time to work as a governess. Kathe then returned to Olympia, where she worked for Sunset Life Insurance Company in Tumwater for five years before leaving to attend Washington State University. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1977 with a degree in Zoology.After graduating from the University of Washington, Kathe married and moved to Okanogan, where she worked with her husband in their veterinary clinic while raising their two sons, Jordan and Justin. Kathe then earned a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Heritage College, graduating summa cum laude, after which she began working as a Court Services Officer/Counselor for Okanogan County Juvenille Court Services, where she received the Employee of the Year Award for 2002.Kathe loved running, bicycling, horseback riding, gardening, and most other outdoor activities. She was an avid reader, and loved action films.Kathe was lovingly cared for at home by her beloved sons, Jordan and Justin, with the help of her adoring mother, sisters, brothers, and friends. Kathe remained cheerful and continued to bless us with her beautiful smile to the end.Kathe was preceded in death by her father, John "Dave" Swift, and is survived by her sons, Jordan and Justin, of Okanogan; her mother, Mary Kay "Sally" Swift, of Olympia; siblings, John, of Boston, Jim, of Olympia, Steve, of Seattle, Bob, of Olympia, Patti St. Hilaire, of Pasco, Colleen Beckman, of Lacey, Susi Walstead, of Olympia, Elaine Bair, of Woodinville, Marilyn Getchman, of Olympia, Nancy Davis, of Shelton, Karen Smith, of Liberty Lake, Tom, of Olympia, Maureen Bittrick, of Puyallup, and Doug, of Olympia, and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews, including her godchildren, Natalie and Bianca.A "Celebrate Kathe's Life" party will be held in Okanogan, Washington on July 12th (location to be determined).