Kathryn Deaderick Obituary

Born in Holten, Kansas to Mildred Louise Bell and Harold Patton Wright. Kathryn is survived by her husband, Shelby Dennis Deaderick Sr, of over 56 years, her children, Shelby Dennis Deaderick Jr and Lauren Paige Ammerman (Matt). The highlight of her life, her four grandchildren, Shelby Wyatt Deaderick, Dennis Wade Deaderick, Laramie Paige Ammerman, and Garrett Matthew Ammerman. She is also survived by her "baby" brother Alan Wright (Jean), many beautiful nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends she called family. Kathy cherished every Sunday evening when the family shared dinner together on the deck of their Florida river home, nothing made her happier than her family gathering for laughter, hugs, and the true meaning of family. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life, she spent hours in the bleachers watching their sporting events, beaming over their educational accomplishments, and looked forward to their adult adventures. They affectionately called her Grammie and each grandchild will forever be her favorite.

At an early age, her family moved to Southern California. Kathy met Shelby in the mid-1960s, he a classic blonde beach kid training to be a fireman and she a sweet brunette studying to be a teacher. Kathy attended Long Beach State receiving a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, later also completing her master's degree in education. Kathy's first career was a first-grade teacher, where she quickly discovered her love of teaching and her enthusiasm for inquisitive young minds. Shelby and Kathy were happily married in 1969, bringing Dennis into the world in 1973 and Lauren in 1975. Shelby and Kathy spent their early years in the beach town of San Clemente, but their desire to raise their family in the mountains with less traffic and stress, drove them to bring their young family to Durango, Colorado in 1984. While in Durango, Kathy had the opportunity to lead multiple Durango schools as a principal, making an impact on more young people than just one classroom at a time. In 2005, she retired from Durango School District after serving thousands of students at Riverview, Needham, Smiley, and finally Animas Valley, which was her legacy, chartering the school and priding herself on selecting the best staff in La Plata County. She was a lifelong teacher of children, she always put children first, and her compassion for students was evident until the day she passed. Kathy will forever be an educator, giving her body to science and education where medical students can continue to learn.

Kathy had a great passion for travel, she and her very best friend of 40 years, Judy Michalski, traveled to Greece, Rome, Argentina, England, Germany, and so many more beautiful places. She was a lifelong learner, loved to read, enjoyed bird watching, cherished her sweet Cocker Spaniel Lucy, loved art, and will forever be the best Wife to Shelby, Mom to Dennis and Lauren and Grammie to her beloved grandchildren. Shelby and Kathy shared many wonderful years together raising their children along the beaches of CA and rivers of CO. Her family had no idea the true positive influence and impact she had on thousands of young people and teachers across Durango until her passing. Her legacy will continue through her children, her grandchildren, and all of those who knew what a beautiful human she was and will continue to be.