Kathryn A. “Kathy” Walker, age 56, longtime Oak Harbor resident and restaurateur, passed away at Whidbey General Hospital on Thursday, June 17, 2010, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mrs. Walker was born in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 1, 1954, to John and Irene (Jaffray) Pittman. She came with her family to Oak Harbor at an early age, and was a graduate of Oak Harbor High School in 1972. On Dec. 23, 1972, Kathy married Murell “Lee” Walker in Oak Harbor. As Lee served in both the US Army and the US Marines, the family traveled around the world, but Oak Harbor was always the place they considered “home.” Their stations included Fairbanks, Alaska; Fort Hood, Texas; Alabama; and Egypt, before returning permanently to Whidbey Island.

Kathy was a tireless worker who held a very strong work ethic. During her early years in the job market, she worked at Dairyland Freeze and Arctic Circle in Oak Harbor. When the couple lived in Alaska, she raised the bar for excellence at Yukon Office Supply in Fairbanks. Later returning to Oak Harbor, she was employed at the Golden Corral, working her way up from waitress to manager. She then worked for Mitzel’s for 15 years, working her way up to general manager. Kathy was known for her catering skills, and she catered for many organizations and events, such as Rotary, Boys and Girls Club, Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce (of which she was a member) and numerous Changes of Command. Kathy never met a stranger. Her outgoing personality made it easy for her to connect with people. In addition to being a loving wife, mother and grandmother, she enjoyed a variety of activities, including gambling, shopping, crafts, decorating for the holidays, party planning and sewing — which included making her daughters’ wedding gowns.

Kathy is survived by her husband Lee at home; four children: Wendy Wilson (Phillip) of Denver, Kristine Holberg (Donald) of Puyallup, and Johnathan Walker (Gina) and Shawn Walker, all of Oak Harbor; six grandchildren (in order of age, from the eldest): Andrew Wilson, Olivia and Ryan Holberg, Julie Wilson, Madison and Mackenzie Walker; one niece, Shannon McGuinness (Jeff) of Lake Tapps; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, John Pittman, in December 2009; her mother, Irene Pittman, in July 1997; her sister, Shirley Neifer, in December 2005, and her brother, Brian Pittman, in 1978.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, June 27, 2010, 1 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St. Private inurnment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Kathy Walker Memorial Fund through Bank of America. Family and friends are encouraged to leave their condolences and share memories at www.whidbeymemorial.com.