Kathleen S Adams
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Obituary
Kathleen Susanne Adams was born on August 18, 1955, in the heart of Southern California, and passed away on December 1, 2024, at the age of 69. Kathleen, a beacon of knowledge, resilience, and humor, touched countless lives with her indomitable spirit and ability to help others breathe easier.
To those who knew her, Kathleen was the embodiment of independence and creativity. She turned gravity into a dance as she jumped from planes and served in medical transport. She spent her days enlightening minds as a dedicated lecturer and professional educator. As a Respiratory Therapist she helped people thrive. Her passion for knowledge was infectious, and she graciously shared her wisdom through numerous informative articles and as an expert witness, always aiming to make the world a safer, more informed place.
Kathleen's culinary prowess was remarkable. Dubbed as the "Persimmon Cookie Queen," her sweet treats were legendary and rivaled only by her German potato salad - an epicurean delight passed down from Grandma Lena. She shared family recipes and told stories that brought the past into perspective. She savored the complex flavors of life, embraced spirited debate, and appreciated fine wine and travel.
Family camping was a staple for Kathleen, and she spent her youth traveling with her family to visit Yosemite, Mt. Lassen, and the Alcan Highway to Alaska. She explored the Arizona desert, visited Joshua Tree and Death Valley, and later toured Italy. Kathleen was an avid supporter of the San Diego Wild Animal Park. She frequently visited and shared that enthusiasm with others, imparting her love and respect for the natural world. Later, she lovingly tended to plants and birds alike, cultivating an oasis of tranquility in her welcoming backyard patio sanctuary.
As we reflect on Kathleen's remarkable life, we celebrate her adventurous spirit, her unwavering dedication to others, and her ability to find humor even in the toughest of times. Kathleen's legacy of deep breaths and dedication will live on in the countless children whose lives she touched with her selfless service. Kathleen is deeply missed, and her spirit thrives in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her.
Timeline
1989
Transport Team Coordinator 1989-1992
Department of Respiratory Care, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital
1994
Instructor 1994-2010
Life Support Education, Loma Linda University
1996
Chair - elect 1996-1998
Transport Specialty Section, American Association for Respiratory Care
1996
August 18th
Editor and Contributing Author 1996-1999
Transport Section Bulletin, American Association for Respiratory Care
1998
Chair 1998-2000
Transport Specialty Section, American Association for Respiratory Care
1999
Chair 1999-2001, 2004-2005
Government Affairs Committee, California Society for Respiratory Care
2000
Political Advocacy Contact Team Co-Chair 2000-2001
AARC/CSRC
2000
Specialty Practitioner of the Year Award
Transport Section AARC
2001
Creative Editor 2001-2002
San Diego/Inland Empire Chapter, CSRC, "The StethoScoop" Newsletter
2002
Clinical Resource Therapist 2002-2008
Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Department of Respiratory Care, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital
2003
Owner/Founder, Packmule Education & Consulting Services 2003-2024
2007
January 25th
President-Elect 2007-2009
California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC)
2009
President 2009-2010
California Society for Respiratory Care (CSRC)
Gallery
Memory wall
Saying my final goodbye to my sister Kathy has been very difficult. Her death was such a sudden, unexpected shock. Our communication was rather sparse most of the time. So, for the next contact to be that she was gone, well, it was astounding and heartbreaking.
Looking back, Kathy and I lived an ideal American life (like those family shows of the 1950’s and 1960’s) complete with loving, involved extended family. Our home was not broken, we walked to school, played outside and were involved in school extracurricular activities. We played and fought like healthy siblings, complete with me “socking her in the arm” (her “sore arm” as she always claimed). Our family involvement in the Torrance YMCA was a highlight of our youth. Family camping trips and spontaneous drives bonded our family. We gathered with cousins to celebrate holidays and found healthy debate as a part of a loving banter in the family. We were blessed
We were not estranged but our conversations became more cordial versus intimate and were always initiated by me. It was difficult that she did not choose to reach out to me to talk, because of our growing differences over the years. We had some major differences of opinion but we were different, never the less and I loved her dearly. She expressed caring in the ways she was comfortable doing so. We treasured all the cards and Jackie Lawson animated email greetings she consistently sent for holidays and birthdays.
The photos in the Gallery above demonstrate how close we were and that we loved each other. Our last face to face visit with her in August 2023 was a wonderful time involving a delicious lunch and lots of interesting conversation. Seeing her, it was clear, as always, that she was a wonderful person and our love for each other was undeniable. When we moved to Idaho it was leaving family that was our one difficulty. We always hoped she would come to visit, but that didn’t happen.
Kathy was independent in thought and deed and lived life on her own terms. Her ambition, focus and initiative drove her success professionally- on the Flight Team, in the Hospital, on the Legislative scene and in her own business. She was committed and industrious and made her own way in the world.
We had differences in our world view which affected how we saw issues. Social, political and spiritual matters did not line up and stirred some tensions. I believe my sister lived her life without the benefit of a very important spiritual parachute. The beliefs and values we were taught early in life became irrelevant to her as they became clearer, profoundly substantiated and more real to me. I am still grieving her loss and I believe I will continue to for the rest of my mortal life. My greatest regret and hardest part of my grief is that all the prayers put forth for her to come to salvation of her soul through the grace of and shed blood of Jesus Christ for the atonement of her sins was not anything I could validate. I have prayed almost daily and some days multiple times a day since her passing, hoping that in those last moments of her life, her heart was changed and she will be waiting for me with our Lord.
She was lovely, smart, creative, caring and passionate and her life force being gone leaves a vacuum in the lives of those with whom she continued to share community.
I loved her and will miss her dearly.
Looking back, Kathy and I lived an ideal American life (like those family shows of the 1950’s and 1960’s) complete with loving, involved extended family. Our home was not broken, we walked to school, played outside and were involved in school extracurricular activities. We played and fought like healthy siblings, complete with me “socking her in the arm” (her “sore arm” as she always claimed). Our family involvement in the Torrance YMCA was a highlight of our youth. Family camping trips and spontaneous drives bonded our family. We gathered with cousins to celebrate holidays and found healthy debate as a part of a loving banter in the family. We were blessed
We were not estranged but our conversations became more cordial versus intimate and were always initiated by me. It was difficult that she did not choose to reach out to me to talk, because of our growing differences over the years. We had some major differences of opinion but we were different, never the less and I loved her dearly. She expressed caring in the ways she was comfortable doing so. We treasured all the cards and Jackie Lawson animated email greetings she consistently sent for holidays and birthdays.
The photos in the Gallery above demonstrate how close we were and that we loved each other. Our last face to face visit with her in August 2023 was a wonderful time involving a delicious lunch and lots of interesting conversation. Seeing her, it was clear, as always, that she was a wonderful person and our love for each other was undeniable. When we moved to Idaho it was leaving family that was our one difficulty. We always hoped she would come to visit, but that didn’t happen.
Kathy was independent in thought and deed and lived life on her own terms. Her ambition, focus and initiative drove her success professionally- on the Flight Team, in the Hospital, on the Legislative scene and in her own business. She was committed and industrious and made her own way in the world.
We had differences in our world view which affected how we saw issues. Social, political and spiritual matters did not line up and stirred some tensions. I believe my sister lived her life without the benefit of a very important spiritual parachute. The beliefs and values we were taught early in life became irrelevant to her as they became clearer, profoundly substantiated and more real to me. I am still grieving her loss and I believe I will continue to for the rest of my mortal life. My greatest regret and hardest part of my grief is that all the prayers put forth for her to come to salvation of her soul through the grace of and shed blood of Jesus Christ for the atonement of her sins was not anything I could validate. I have prayed almost daily and some days multiple times a day since her passing, hoping that in those last moments of her life, her heart was changed and she will be waiting for me with our Lord.
She was lovely, smart, creative, caring and passionate and her life force being gone leaves a vacuum in the lives of those with whom she continued to share community.
I loved her and will miss her dearly.
May 19, 2025
3
I love you Kathleen, and I miss you so much. I’m always thinking of some question about family history I want to ask, or send some funny possibly lacerating comic I saw somewhere, or more likely pointing out the latest idiocy from Washington, or Sacramento, or duh, Portland.
Or, most importantly, could I have the recipe for the insanely delicious cabbage rolls you made the time my travel buddy and I stopped by on our way to Palm Springs? After we stopped driving, and starting flying—your fave mode of travel—you joined us for dinner every year in PS at a new-found eatery. Those evenings were so special: the wide-ranging conversations, the laughing…always lots of laughs.
I guess the last time we were together was our drive to El Cajon to visit cousin Danny. He showed off his new house, and chewed off our ears. Good ol’ Danny. We had a great time.
It’s hard to believe how long ago it was when you and Lillian visited us at our house on Prairie not long after we moved there, you were only about 4 or 5. We walked over to Centinela Park and I helped you climb on the monkey bars. You had a death grip on the firemen’s pole, so I held you as you slowly slid down. Possibly the world’s slowest descent.
I enjoyed my trips out to Yucaipa, relaxing on the patio, taking in the scent of the citrus blossoms. Maybe eating some persimmon cookies? Oh yes definitely! And yak-yakking the evenings away.
I can’t text you, though your’re still in my phone. I can’t say you’re gone because you live in my memory and in my heart. Thank you for all the wonderful times we shared. Dear Cuz, I love you so much. ❤️
Or, most importantly, could I have the recipe for the insanely delicious cabbage rolls you made the time my travel buddy and I stopped by on our way to Palm Springs? After we stopped driving, and starting flying—your fave mode of travel—you joined us for dinner every year in PS at a new-found eatery. Those evenings were so special: the wide-ranging conversations, the laughing…always lots of laughs.
I guess the last time we were together was our drive to El Cajon to visit cousin Danny. He showed off his new house, and chewed off our ears. Good ol’ Danny. We had a great time.
It’s hard to believe how long ago it was when you and Lillian visited us at our house on Prairie not long after we moved there, you were only about 4 or 5. We walked over to Centinela Park and I helped you climb on the monkey bars. You had a death grip on the firemen’s pole, so I held you as you slowly slid down. Possibly the world’s slowest descent.
I enjoyed my trips out to Yucaipa, relaxing on the patio, taking in the scent of the citrus blossoms. Maybe eating some persimmon cookies? Oh yes definitely! And yak-yakking the evenings away.
I can’t text you, though your’re still in my phone. I can’t say you’re gone because you live in my memory and in my heart. Thank you for all the wonderful times we shared. Dear Cuz, I love you so much. ❤️
May 15, 2025
2
I met Kathy at El Camino College and went through the Respiratory Therapy program with her. It was a tough program, but we always managed to have fun along the way with our fellow RT students. Our lives took us in different directions, but we always remained friends and kept in touch, especially during baseball season. We loved our Dodgers!!! I miss our baseball chats. There are so many memories I could share from the past, including a trip to Mazatlan in our 20;s, but I will just give thanks to Kathy for being a good friend all these years. I will treasure her hand-made Christmas gifts she would send me every year. I just wish she could have known about my rescue cat Bree that I adopted around the time of her passing. I sent Kathy pics/videos of Bree, but didn't get a response back. I later learned why. I hope she is at peace and that we meet again one day. God Bless.
May 14, 2025
2
Kathy and I would talk on the phone and laugh over our "home improvement" or "home repair" projects. We talked one or two times a month. We would send Jacque Lawson e cards for all kinds of things. Her racoon in the attic, and my spotting a mountain lion on my dirt road left us laughing. Miss the chit chat and our total laughter over it all!
8/6/25
Thought about how she would laugh when I told her about seeing a Bobcat right out my back door today. I was working on my computer and spotted movement. Thought it was another bunny, then noticed it was a Bobcat with a little curl at the end of it's tail.
8/6/25
Thought about how she would laugh when I told her about seeing a Bobcat right out my back door today. I was working on my computer and spotted movement. Thought it was another bunny, then noticed it was a Bobcat with a little curl at the end of it's tail.
May 11, 2025
2
Give her a great recipe, nice glass of wine, good football game, gardening opportunity or new craft project and she was happy. She was hard working and could fix anything . Her ability to accessorize an outfit was outstanding (and most often involved a scarf!). Their family took to the road frequently, adventurous vacations or weekend drives. She and Lance carried that desire to travel into their own adult lives. Kathy did significant sojourns to Australia, Italy, Hawaii, the Caribbean , and Canada to see close friends. She traveled to gather with family in San Diego and Portland, she loved to chat about old times and current events.
Her professional excellence was undeniable. She was intelligent, articulate and cared fiercely about quality healthcare and positive patient outcomes. She never had children but she had hundreds of kids that she truly cared for. She had big impact in the lives of her kids and their families. Her many professional achievements are commendable.
Kathy was a very private person, strongly self sufficient and independent. She lived life on her terms. Our chats over the years produced much laughter, great clinical conversations and at times revealed our differing approaches to dealing with life. Always I had the desire to grow closer to her.
A time came in my life when I realized that man isn't just a body with a spirit but a spirit with a temporary body. I knew spiritual faith was worthy to be pursued. I found the love, peace and wisdom of Jesus Christ. He gave me faith and paid the price for my mistakes and my life changed forever. I prayed she would let Him into her life and still hope she did so before she left us.
I loved getting holiday and birthday greetings from her. Those won't come anymore and that void will be very painful. It has been an honor to have even a small part in helping to wrap up her precious life according to her wishes. We celebrate her for the life and breath she brought to so many. - Annette Adams
Her professional excellence was undeniable. She was intelligent, articulate and cared fiercely about quality healthcare and positive patient outcomes. She never had children but she had hundreds of kids that she truly cared for. She had big impact in the lives of her kids and their families. Her many professional achievements are commendable.
Kathy was a very private person, strongly self sufficient and independent. She lived life on her terms. Our chats over the years produced much laughter, great clinical conversations and at times revealed our differing approaches to dealing with life. Always I had the desire to grow closer to her.
A time came in my life when I realized that man isn't just a body with a spirit but a spirit with a temporary body. I knew spiritual faith was worthy to be pursued. I found the love, peace and wisdom of Jesus Christ. He gave me faith and paid the price for my mistakes and my life changed forever. I prayed she would let Him into her life and still hope she did so before she left us.
I loved getting holiday and birthday greetings from her. Those won't come anymore and that void will be very painful. It has been an honor to have even a small part in helping to wrap up her precious life according to her wishes. We celebrate her for the life and breath she brought to so many. - Annette Adams
May 11, 2025
2
Kathy Adams was smart and successful with a no-nonsense approach and decided style. There was some mystery to her. She had layers, humor, and spice. Kathy was independent and charted her own course. She was an entrepreneur, author, and an innovator.
I met Aunt Kathy when our families blended in the '90s. I admired her intellect and was astounded by the way she embraced lively discourse and debate. She had a discerning palate, was selective with her time, and she spoke her mind.
Once upon a time, Kathy and I would go out for dinner together, or meet for breakfast at a local Yucaipa eatery she'd discovered. We'd meet up for a meal and a chat. She listened. She shared. She showed love.
We made mountains of memories at family gatherings. On Christmas Eve 2011, some of the local members of the family gathered at my parents' house in Cherry Valley. We ate a hearty meal, raised a glass, and spent some time together. We played a silly board game. We had simple fun. We joked and laughed, and Kathy pretended to be guiding air traffic when the game called for it. I found a rare pic of her during that Christmas Eve game and was delighted to have a precious, clumsy record of the moment. I wish I could bottle the feeling of family that was baked into that memory and share it with you.
The collection of photos from Aunt Kathy's life that are shared on this tribute page lend an exquisite texture to my memory of her. Thank you to all who contribute to her fond remembrance. Kathleen Adams' legacy is woven into the fabric of every life she intersected, and her memory echoes in my heart.
I met Aunt Kathy when our families blended in the '90s. I admired her intellect and was astounded by the way she embraced lively discourse and debate. She had a discerning palate, was selective with her time, and she spoke her mind.
Once upon a time, Kathy and I would go out for dinner together, or meet for breakfast at a local Yucaipa eatery she'd discovered. We'd meet up for a meal and a chat. She listened. She shared. She showed love.
We made mountains of memories at family gatherings. On Christmas Eve 2011, some of the local members of the family gathered at my parents' house in Cherry Valley. We ate a hearty meal, raised a glass, and spent some time together. We played a silly board game. We had simple fun. We joked and laughed, and Kathy pretended to be guiding air traffic when the game called for it. I found a rare pic of her during that Christmas Eve game and was delighted to have a precious, clumsy record of the moment. I wish I could bottle the feeling of family that was baked into that memory and share it with you.
The collection of photos from Aunt Kathy's life that are shared on this tribute page lend an exquisite texture to my memory of her. Thank you to all who contribute to her fond remembrance. Kathleen Adams' legacy is woven into the fabric of every life she intersected, and her memory echoes in my heart.
Favorites
What was Kathleen's favorite TV show?
Big Bang Theory, NCIS
What was Kathleen's favorite Music?
Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart, Herman's Hermits
What cause was important to Kathleen?
Wounded Warrior Project
Donate
Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Kathleen embodied throughout her life.
Learn more and donate to Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Learn more and donate to Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
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