KATHLEEN ANN “KATHY” OAKLAND

Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Oakland, age 65, longtime Oak Harbor resident, passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham on Thursday, July 19, 2012, following a brief illness.

Mrs. Oakland was born in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, on July 26, 1946, to Irving James and Dorothy (Kulamanu Meyer) Vorhies. Kathy was raised on Maui, where she attended schools and graduated from high school. She attended Shamanat Community College in Honolulu, and then Seattle University, where she completed her studies, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Records Science. One week after receiving her degree, Kathy married John H. Oakland on June 7, 1969 in Seattle. The couple moved to Omaha where they lived for five years while John attended medical school and served his internship. It was during this time that Kathy gave birth to their two sons, Brian and Michael. Following this, John entered the US Navy, and Kathy and the family moved with him to a series of duty stations, eventually settling at Oak Harbor.

Kathy was known over the years as a giving, loving person who remained active in many ways in the community. As young as sixteen she demonstrated her capacity for service by joining Girls Nation and becoming the Girls Nation President. During her time in that organization, she had the privilege of meeting President John F. Kennedy. Kathy was a RRA (Registered Records Administrator). She recently became a Master Gardener, and joined the Whidbey Island Master Gardeners Association. She volunteered in the Lord’s Garden in Oak Harbor. She was also an active member of Life Church of Oak Harbor.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Dr. John H. Oakland; two sons, Brian Oakland of Ketchikan, AK and Michael Oakland of Oak Harbor; his wife Michelle; four grandchildren, Teleia, Luke, Caleb and Ashelyn; also, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her brother James “Kimo” Irving Vorhies.

A Private Graveside Service will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery. A Memorial Service (open to the public) will take place at Life Church (formerly Lighthouse Christian Center), 1767 NE Regatta, Oak Harbor, on Sunday, July 29, 2012, at 4:00 PM, Pastor Michael Hurley officiating. A reception will follow the service immediately. Memorials may be made to the Kathy Oakland Memorial Fund at Key Bank. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Oakland (Kathleen Ann Vorhies), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.