Kathleen Tolbert

Kathleen Helen Tolbert, 71, of Littleton passed away peacefully in the early morning of Monday, November 5th, 2007. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Columbine United Church, 6375 South Platte Canyon Road in Littleton, Colorado 80123. Memorial donations can be made to the C.U. Foundation Depression Research c/o Dr. Bob Freidman-University Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 E 9th Ave, C268-72, Denver, CO 80262, or to the Lutheran Hospice at Collier Hospice Center, 3210 Lutheran Parkway, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, or any Hospice Center of your choosing. Katy leaves behind her devoted and loving husband of nearly 51 years, and best friend, Sidney Lee Tolbert and their three children: Bruce Tolbert of Colorado Springs, CO, Kenneth Tolbert of Littleton, CO, and Christine Gregory of Bennett, CO. In addition, are Katy's daughters-in-law Christina and Llana and five grandchildren: Lee, Kevin, Lisa, Ashley, and Susie. Her siblings & their spouses are: Melvin & Gloria Cook of Enid, OK., Norma & Bill Johnson of Dallas, TX., Sharon Baynham of Vega, TX., Marian & Walt Horsley of Tempe, AZ and Lanny & Carolyn Cook of Vega, TX. She also leaves her extended family members and many friends and neighbors that Katy held very dear. Katy was born in Amarillo, Texas and was the third of six children born to Kenneth and Helen Cook. Her dad was a farmer and cattleman, and as you can imagine with six children, Helen was more than a full time mother. The Cook clan decided to make their home in Vega, Texas and for those of you who don't know, Vega's in the Texas Panhandle with a lot of dust and not many trees. All the same, the family loved it there, so they stayed. Katy was an excellent student and was very active in the Vega United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and all of the other church activities. In high school, she was also a cheerleader and played basketball and attended every football game as well. Since there wasn't much for the kids to do in Vega, her father decided to build a 'playhouse' next to their actual house so that they would have a place to gather with their friends. Katy, her siblings and many of the kids in Vega 'grew up' in the Playhouse. Katy had known Sid since they were 8 years old and they didn't get a long very well as kids, but at some point along the way high school ended, the Senior Class trip came to pass, they started dating, fell in love and decided they couldn't be without each other. It was meant to be for Katy and Sid, being born one week apart and living in the same little town in Texas and growing up their entire lives together. After high school, Katy went to college at SMU for a year and then transferred to Texas Tech to be near Sid. They were married on January 27, 1957 and after Sid graduated from Texas Tech, he and Katy moved to Logan, Utah with infant son Bruce in tow, and Katy graduated from Utah State with a degree in Elementary Education the next year. Sid then took a job with Martin Marietta as an engineer and the family moved to Denver, CO, where Kenneth and Christine were born. Katy stayed very busy as an elementary school teacher and as a mom to three kids. Katy and Sid were founding members of, and very active in, Green Mountain United Methodist Church. In 1968, work would take the family to Santa Maria, CA where Katy worked as a substitute teacher, was involved with the PTA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Meals-on-Wheels, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, and all of her kids' sports and recreational activities. She was an enthusiastic and very vocal supporter of her kid's various activities. During those years, Katy's family enjoyed many camping and skiing trips and traveled to Vega nearly every summer. Family was very important to Katy and she was determined that her family grow up knowing their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Sid was transferred to Denver in 1978 and he and Katy have lived in the same home ever since. A few years later, after their kids went out on their own, Sid was able to retire from Martin Marietta. He and Katy then decided to travel, and boy, did they travel!! Their first big adventure took them to New Zealand, and later to Great Britain, Morocco, Aruba and other fun and exotic destinations with their 'Risky Business' gang. Katy loved to travel, especially with her husband by her side. Her infectious laugh would always get others laughing right along with her. Katy never met a stranger that didn't eventually wind up being a friend. She was a loving and giving person who will be missed by all who knew her.