Kathryn Arlene Thomas

Kathryn Farrens Thomas, 77, was born in Portland, Oregon, on July 1, 1949, and passed away in Salem, Oregon, on October 30, 2026.

Together with her husband, Ted, Kathy built a life centered on family and filled with joy. Raising their sons, Jason and Matt, was their greatest adventure and proudest accomplishment. Their home was a place of fun and trust, where Jason and Matt were encouraged to enjoy their childhoods to the fullest.

Kathy and Ted met while completing their degrees at Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University). Kathy later earned her master's degree from Lewis & Clark College. She spent her career working for the State of Oregon, where she developed friendships that lasted a lifetime. After retiring, she returned to education as a substitute teacher, taking pride in making her classrooms welcoming and special places.

Kathy was a devoted mom, always volunteering to help with the boys' activities and finding fun ways to make birthdays and holidays extra special. She also loved sharing adventures and exploring new hobbies with her friends and her sister, Susie. Kathy and Susie especially enjoyed bringing their families together for celebrations, with Easter and Christmas among their favorite traditions.

Kathy and Ted loved traveling together and with their sons. They enjoyed cruises and road trips, fun at Disneyland and more. In later years Kathy kept that curiosity and love of travel going, taking memorable trips with her grandkids and her friends. She explored places as far away as Greece, Egypt, China, Spain and Switzerland.

Kathy was a loving and engaged grandmother to her five grandchildren: Aubrey, Morgan, Quinn, Cy, and Calvin. She was a helpful and supportive presence throughout their childhoods, and she delighted in sharing experiences with them as they grew older. She traveled with Morgan and Aubrey, cheered on Quinn, Cy, and Calvin at countless sporting events, and enjoyed more recent adventures with Matt and the boys. And just as she had done for her own children, she helped make every birthday and holiday a little more special for her grandkids.

Kathy was preceded in death by her sister, Patty; her brother, Pepper; her son, Jason; and her beloved husband, Ted. She is survived by her son, Matt; her sister, Susie; and her five grandchildren, Aubrey, Morgan, Quinn, Cy, and Calvin.

Kathy will be laid to rest alongside Ted and Jason at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Salem, Oregon.

Services will be held Friday, November 20, 2026. A graveside service will take place at Restlawn Memorial Gardens at noon, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. at the Best Western Premier Keizer/Salem Hotel.