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Kathy had several passions in her life; music, photography, puns (oh, so many puns), art, and many more.
When I was about 6 or 7, she decided it was time for me to have a camera, and she gave me a Box Brownie plastic camera from the late 50s or early 60s (it was the early 70s at the time). She didn’t give me any film at first; instead we went out into the yard and practiced taking pictures. I don’t remember any specific instructions she gave me but I’m sure there were some.
She showed me how the camera worked and how to look down through the viewfinder and frame a picture and when she was satisfied that I got the idea, we went to the corner store (two houses away) and got some film. She loaded the camera and we went on a photo shoot, the first of many we went on.
I finished the film that day or shortly thereafter and Kathy had it developed. Unfortunately, the camera had light leaks, and a lot of them. It was color film and there were red streaks everywhere. Being the age I was, I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen, but Kathy knew it wouldn’t work for me so she gave me her classic Instamatic camera (very modern for the 1970s) and I took pictures with that for the next several years.
As I got older, she would lend me her Minolta SLR or the Minolta rangefinder she and my father alternately owned (I’m not sure what they traded back and forth for that camera but I vividly remember each of them owning it). I became more and more interested in the process of taking pictures. In Middle School we had a darkroom in the class and I remember developing and printing pictures quite a bit.
When I got to college, I took photography classes but majored in English. After college, I had a home darkroom in several places I lived. And all through this time Kathy and I would go out and take pictures together. We would talk about what we were looking at or looking for. We would talk about differences in film and differences in lenses.
Today, I spend quite a bit of time talking pictures. It is a great way of seeing the world. I teach a college course in beginning photography. I make my own cameras, and I exhibit the pictures these cameras make. All because Kathy thought her nephew should get a camera in first or second grade.
The first time I saw Kathy, I thought she was the most exciting thing I had ever seen. I was four years old. I sat beside my mother while she fed Kathy and I fed my doll, Jane.
Kathy had a great sense of humor that often got her in trouble. From giggling in church to giggling at school she saw the funny side of life. She was a punster through and through.
Kathy was very generous and would know just what was needed and would give it and not think about her own needs.
I will miss my best friend who knew all about me and loved me anyway.
Kathy Jones was the nicest person I ever knew. Really. It’s true. She was my partner for the last several years and has left a hole in my life now that she is gone. But she is not gone from my mind and my heart. She was a very funny woman, and I am laughing laughing as I cry.
When Kathy was about eight years old, we moved from the edge of town to a farm 5 miles from town. Kathy’s playmates were no longer classmates of hers or neighbors, but were the animals on the farm. we had a pony, Old Babe, who would give us a good ride when she felt in the mood.
As soon as a baby calf could walk, Kathy would put a halter on its head and lead it up to the yard or maybe to the mailbox. The Calves never knew when they were taught to lead. When Kathy was 14 she had a 4H project heifer that she named Delilah. She put a blanket on Delilah, to condition her coat. She fed Delilah beet pulp and brushed her daily to get her coat, smooth and shiny. She polished Delilah’s horns. She won blue ribbons and championship at the county fair. Kathy took Delilah to the state fair where she again won blue ribbons in the 4-H competition. Delilah was then entered in the open class with all the big breeders of Jerseys from around the state and the country. Delilah won a blue ribbon and was named grand champion of the Iowa State fair. Of course, she was well trained. And Kathy won a showmanship award. You can see Delilah in Kathy‘s pictures.
Aunt Kathy was a great conversationalist and entertainer. She always kept us laughing with her guitar and songs. I was always especially fond of her mixed up Cinderella story. If you knew her I’m sure you’ve heard it.
Aunt Kathy had a gift of being able to take an interest in whatever you were interested in. She made easy connections with people. I remember when Kyle was just a little boy and very into Pokémon (or maybe Yugioh). He loved to collect the cards and was constantly asking us to play the game against him. Aunt Kathy took the time to sit down, listen to his lengthy explanation, and played patiently with him for hours. She asked lots of questions and stayed engaged with him until he was ready to do something else. I don’t think any other adult ever took that much time to play that game with him. She won his heart that day.
We had some great conversations over the years bonding over being the baby sisters in families with very talented siblings. I will miss those discussions.
I’m so glad to have been blessed with all the special times we had together. ❤️
Kathy was the first newborn I remember seeing. I was six, and a child of the “great depression” and there just weren’t a lot of children, not to mention new ones! She was lying in her crib in front of a window at the back of the house where Uncle Donald, Aunt Clara and cousins David and Mary were living. It was about three months later that my family moved to another state, and we no longer could often play together as we had when we lived near each other.
In spite of that, I always felt close to Kathy and her family, and we managed to keep in touch with each other as the years rolled on. Rest in peace. dear Cousin Kathy, your joy in life, intelligence and wonderful sense of humor are greatly missed, but will never be forgotten. You possessed a very special uplifting sparkle that you brought to others in person, on the phone, and in even in thought. That special sparkle will carry on strongly forever In the hearts of those who love you.