Kathy Louise Milward

Longtime Palmer resident Kathy Louise Milward, 61, died Oct. 23, 2011, at home surrounded by her family.

A celebration of life in Kathy’s honor is at 1 p.m., Nov. 5 at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church (“Church of a Thousand Trees”), 713 S. Denali St., Palmer. The Rev. Leisa Carrick will officiate. A wake to celebrate her life will be held at a later date for family and friends.

Kathy was born at the old Palmer Hospital on April 5, 1950, to Harry and Drusilla (Barnhardt) Kendrick.

Kathy graduated from Palmer High School and went on to get her bachelor’s degree from Alaska Pacific University and a double master’s degree in education and counseling from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

For a time she traveled and worked abroad, spending time in Saudi Arabia and England. She also lived in Florida.

She worked as a counselor for the state of Alaska Job Service and for the Mat-Su Borough School District. She also worked for Job Corps.

Kathy enjoyed gardening, travel, camping, reading, sewing, cross-country skiing, hiking and meeting people.

According to her family, Kathy was a very kind and loving person. She adored her husband, daughter and family, including her four-legged family. She lit up a room, was always positive and never had a negative word to say about anyone.

Kathy is survived by her husband, John “The Brit” Milward, and daughter, Megam Milward, both of Palmer; step-daughters, Helen (Rick) Milward, Claire (Mike) Milward and their children, Felix and Rufus, all of England; parents, Drusilla and Harry Kendrick of Palmer; sister, Diane (Erik) Adey and their children, Seth France, Corey Leff, Ian Adey and Anastasia Adey of Nenana; sisters, Christine Kendrick of Palmer and Lois Kendrick and her husband Jamin Hall of Anchorage. Surviving are many beloved nieces and her extended family, the Barnhardts, Koppenbergs and Trueloves.

The family requests donations be made to any cancer research charity.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory in Wasilla.