Lucy Katherine (Tate) Taylor, or “Kathy”, 86, died peacefully, with family at her bedside, on November 7, 2019. Kathy was born on October 6, 1933 in Fort Benning, Georgia to the late Robert and Gladys Tate. Due to her father’s career in the U.S. Army, she grew up across the United States. Her family settled in San Pedro, California when she was a teenager, where she remained until 2001. While raising five children, Kathy played church organ, taught piano lessons, and earned a B.A. in music at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1987 and an M.A. in Social Work at UCLA in 1990. She worked as a social worker from 1990 to 2000, when she retired to Enumclaw in 2001, where she became a beloved church organist, piano teacher, and doting grandmother.
Kathy is survived by her sister Cecilia Hatcher; brother Lonnie Tate; children Mary Schulz (Donald) of Simi Valley, California, Michelle Smith (Russell) of Enumclaw, Washington, Roberta Ballard (Kevin Richards) of Woodstock, Georgia, and Kathy Linson (Craig) of Portland, Oregon; six grandchildren Bryan, Renee, Angela, Brent, Carly, and Claire; and two stepgranddaughters Caitlin and Moira. She was predeceased by her father Robert Tate (1901-1995), mother Gladys Tate (1910-1999), and son Michael Joncich (1956-1991).
She is remembered for her love of family and music, her devotion to the Methodist church, and as a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, teacher and friend. Her loved ones are forever grateful that she passed on her passion for music and service to others, appreciation for the small pleasures of life, and the value of a good belly laugh.
A funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 13th at Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home followed by burial at Enumclaw Evergreen Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Student Scholarship Fund of the Washington State Music Teachers Association. WSMTA, c/o Kirsten Carlson, 732 N 74 St, Seattle, WA 98103 (wsmta.org).
Please share a memory on the tribute wall at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.
