Kathryn Watkins Swain, 84, of Manteca, CA died a courageous death in Modesto, CA on April 9, 2017. A celebration of her life and irrepressible spirit will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County, in Modesto at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 7th.
   Kathryn was born on the dusty plains of northwestern Oklahoma in December 1932 to Rev. J. Ralph and Pearl Watkins.  She grew up in Courtland, Kansas and moved to Clyde, Kansas in her senior year, graduating from there in 1950 but she always said her heart remained in Courtland.  She then attended the University of Kansas where she met her first husband, Marshall Moeller Swain. It wasn’t until 1976 that she earned a BA from the University of Hawaii where she majored in Women’s Studies.
   Kathryn was a staunch feminist and active champion of women’s rights.  She was also a world traveler, business owner, social worker, newspaper columnist, talented pianist, avid reader and a great lover of good food, good company, conversation and dirty jokes.     Kathryn is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Pearl, her older brother Roy, and by her life partner of 38 years, Bob St. John.
   She is survived by her brother Ralph Harlan, her five children Bruce, Paul, Victoria, Curtis and Nancy, Bob’s daughter Pam, numerous grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, and various and sundry nieces, nephews, in-laws, outlaws, friends, acquaintances and sisters of the heart.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County, P.O. Box 1000, Salida, CA 95368

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, April 15, 2017