Kathlyn Coorpender
Obituary
Kathlyn Joy "Kathy" Coorpender was born July 25, 1952 in San Francisco, California the daughter of Gloria McKean and Marty Coorpender. Kathy completed this life on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 58.
Kathy earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Arkansas and her Master's Degree from Oklahoma State University. She was a special education teacher in the Jenks Public Schools specializing in developmentally disabled children.
Kathy loved being around people. She also loved animals especially enjoying the time she spent volunteering at the Tulsa Zoo.
She is survived by her husband Arthur William "Bill" Cushman, Jr.; her son, Jason Patten of Atlanta, GA; her sister, Lori Ruggiero of California; her brother, Marty Coorpender of California; and her four Grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Tulsa Zoo Friends, 6421 E. 36th Street North, Tulsa, OK 74115.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 18, 2010 in the Ninde Brookside Chapel.
Events
Tributes & Memories
Lori (sister)
Kathy Joy.....you left too soon and oh how I miss our late in life but loving connection. Wherever you are I know you are whole again and out of pain. You were 10x the woman I could ever be. Love you....your living sister.
Lorraine ruggiero
Mary and I moved next door to Kathy and Bill in the spring of 2010. As moving always is, our days and nights were filled with pulling our new home together, as soon as possible. At least, a monumental task.
As we toiled, we heard a knock at the front door. It was Kathy, who had come to welcome us to her neighborhood, with a plate of goodies. As it turned out, Kathy....and Bill were our only welcomers. We did however, meet our other neighbors, through block activities such as neighborhood watch and a block garage sale event. Both through the efforts of Ms. Kathy.....
A wonderful, caring neighbor.
Jon and Mary Sellmeyer
I will miss Kathy, my cousin, very much. I looked forward to our correspondence via email...it was a bright spot in my dreary work days. I enjoyed all of her zoo stories and the knowledge she shared on all that she learned about the animals. She was so supportive of the things I shared with her that I was going through with my teen aged son. She knew just the right things to say, the right way to make me feel OK about my choices. We lived so far away but I am so glad to say that I had a chance to spend time with her in the spring when she came out to visit. She was loved.
Nancy L H Thall
Mary and I moved next door to Kathy and Bill in the spring of 2010. As moving always is, our days and nights were filled with pulling our new home together, as soon as possible. At least, a monumental task. As we toiled, we heard a knock at the front door. It was Kathy, who had come to welcome us to her neighborhood, with a plate of goodies. As it turned out, Kathy....and Bill were our only welcomers. We did however, meet our other neighbors, through block activities such as neighborhood watch and a block garage sale event. Both through the efforts of Ms. Kathy..... A wonderful, caring neighbor.
Jon and Mary Sellmeyer
I'm glad you were my sister...I could say so many things about our relationship and what you came to mean to me, the love and forgiveness you showed me, the times you cheered me on, the friend you became, and it would all add up to those simple words I did not say enough ....that I'm glad you were my sister...You overcame so very much in your life and all I can do is be in awe of your strength, your sheer determination and your raw courage. I also know that you are now in a safe place, free of physical pain and you're with Mom and Grandma, who are smiling with you, together enjoying that San Francisco sourdough french bread you enjoyed so much...and I love you Kathy.
Lori Ruggiero
Kathy was a wonderful volunteer and will be very missed by all of us who worked with her at the Tulsa Zoo. It won't be the same without her.
Lisa Barnes