Kathryn Ann Lewis the daughter of Jim and Mary (Tracz) Lofland was born September 16th, 1955, in Groton, New London, Connecticut and passed away in Houston, Missouri on December 6th, 2024.
As the daughter of a Navy submariner, Kathy lived in many places during her childhood but developed a deep affection for her time in Newbury Park and Fillmore, California, where her family settled and planted their Polack roots. She moved to Missouri in 1998, and in 2009, she reunited with the love of her life, Pablo Camarillo. Together, they cherished their time with family, attending grandkids’ graduations and “Hoop Shoot” events. They always looked forward to creating lasting memories with family and close friends because family meant everything to them.
Kathy was a dedicated member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church. She and Pablo volunteered in the community, particularly when her daughter, Rosanna, hosted events. Kathy’s first job was as a dispatcher for the Fillmore Police Department. Over the years, she devoted herself to many service roles, including working as an Activities Director in convalescent homes, Event Planner at Santa Paula’s Glen Tavern’s Inn, running a daycare, and ultimately retired as a Substance Abuse Counselor after earning three bachelor’s degrees from Drury College. Kathy, known for her generous heart, would drop everything to be there for a loved one and always strived to make others’ lives easier, regardless of the personal sacrifice involved.
Though Kathy embraced many roles throughout her life, her greatest pride and joy came from being a mother, grandmother, and the amazing “Aunt Gacky” to her brother Mark’s children. Her love language was quality time and gift-giving, and, like her mother, she was the family historian.
Despite the rise of technology and social media, Kathy remained true to her love for traditional letter writing and reading. The last book she enjoyed was part of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, where she showed remarkable restraint by not skipping ahead to the end.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Angela Cervantes, and her daughter Rosanna Hathaway. She is survived by her soulmate, Pablo Camarillo; daughter Christina Black (Cheyenne and Leon Robinson III and Amara); son Matthew Arias and his wife Andrea (Paul, Ivy, and Otto); bonus children Chris and Joanna Camarillo; her brothers Jim Jr. and Mark; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends whom she loved like family, all of whom will deeply miss her.
Celebration of Life dinner is being planned for a later date. Rather than send flowers, please share your fondest memories of her with Pablo, Tina, Matt and their families via social media and/or condolences can be sent to 309 E. S. Oak Crest Dr, Houston, Mo. 65483. Cremation services were under the care of Bradford Funeral Home and online condolences may be left at www.bradfordfuneralhome.net
