On Saturday morning

It started last month

 Ralph ( Mr. Heiner ) came around  the neighborhood to tell of the passing of his wife  and to extend an invitation to a memorial to her, on Saturday, October 7.

So, Saturday I  was walking up the path to the Heiner home.  There was a young man at the end of the walkway   as I approached. 

 “ Hello, I am Adam Heiner”.
“ I am Kathy Tanner”. 

“Of course you  are” he said and instantly hugged me.   “ As you were coming up the walkway, I thought,  I should know her”     He   knew that he was in the same year as Mimi. And we talked about ice cream etc.  

   As I entered their home I introduced myself and soon Anne Heiner was hugging me and saying how much she appreciated me coming to the memorial for her mother.

Kathy Heiner had been a piano teacher to our children, and to many, many others. She also spent many hours making their garden a masterpiece in our  neighborhood.   Kathy was seen walking,and walking  rain or shine, and pausing for a smile and hello.  

Guests were encouraged to tour the home.  Family members shared how Kathy had spent time in antique stores buying old pieces and then restoring them and making a home of beauty and lots of memories  

Their room

His room
Ralph is an artist and it is his sketch of Kathy that appears on the Memory page

But the places that most reflect Kathy,  reflect Music

This is the studio, baby grand 

 the studio where many students were taught classical piano

This is her Grand piano 

A beautiful buffet was served  

Then the  program began..

Duet  recital video

next the family shared

Ralph, on the left, his brother on the right

Anne, Kurt and Wyatt Vold  

Adam, Elissa, Drew  and Matt Heiner

Ralph and Kathy met at Sammamish High school.  Seemed like love at first glance, for Ralph.  At age 20 they married and lived down the street from us, in  Cherry Crest,  for about 40 years.  She loved working in the garden and their front yard was always  a work of art.   Through the years she added touches to the interior.  The garage became her piano studio
Anne was the first born and she is now an attorney in Seattle. She and her husband have one son . They own City Market in Seattle.
Adam the second born,  lives in West Seattle with his wife and two sons. He is a speech therapist. Did someone say IronMan?
Both children praised their mother for her devotion to family.  They were a fairly private family, but both children remembered the freedom to play in our neighborhood.

A few stories were shared and there was one that showed the spunk and determination of Kathy.
A family member was getting married and Kathy had outfits head to toe for the children.  Adam was about two years old and had his first tie.  He practiced wearing it and was very proud and excited for this event.  The location was not far, but the traffic was bad and they arrived late.  Grandpa was at the church waiting at the top of the stairs.  The family jumped out of the car and out of nowhere came a huge friendly dog.  He jumped on little Adam and snagged that tie (clip on ) right off his shirt and bolted.  Well, Kathy bolted too. Back and forth in the front of the church. Grandpa was finding it pretty hilarious, and Kathy did not give up.  She retrieved the tie, put it on Adam and into the wedding they marched.       

 ( Kathy’s sister was the bride and she shared the story with great delight  )

Anne and Adam agreed to a family photo to share with my family - they grew up together, went to Cherry Crest together and yes, ate ice cream together.

The celebration to Kathy was very special.   A beautiful tribute to an amazing lady.