Kathleen Wilson
Jul 24, 1950 -
May 10, 2025
Kathleen Wilson passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2025, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She smiled her way through it.
Kathleen was born in Odessa, Texas, in 1950. Her family moved frequently before moving to Alaska in 1965. Kathleen was in the first graduating class of Dimond High and later obtained a degree in sociology from Tulsa University.
Shortly thereafter, Kathleen returned to Alaska. She worked for several years as a family counselor, and for 30 years as a guardian ad litem, advocating for the best interests of children who had experienced abuse and neglect. She never failed to take their calls.
Kathleen met her husband, Larry Cohn, playing co-ed softball. In 1985, soon after they started dating, they traveled extensively in Asia, including three months as some of the first Westerners in decades to visit China and Tibet. They arrived home closer than ever, and were married in 1987, in their backyard in Homer, overlooking Kachemak Bay, on a beautiful sunny day.
Kathleen and Larry returned to Anchorage where their daughter, Emily, and son, Tyler, were born. In 1998, Kathleen and Larry and their young children spent nearly a year traveling the globe. It was an incredible adventure.
Kathleen was as kind and compassionate a person as you could ever meet. She was a wonderful wife, devoted mother and a great friend.
Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, Lee and Marian Wilson. In addition to her husband and children, Kathleen is survived by sisters, Linda Wilson (Brad Owens) and Mary Lee Wilson (Nick Wieder); brother, John Wilson (Lisa); many others who loved her and still more who were glad to have known her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Arctic Valley Ski Area Lodge. For more details, or to share thoughts and stories about Kathleen, please visit https://www.online-tribute.com/KathleenWilson. In lieu of flowers, the best way to honor Kathleen's memory is to be nice to someone in need.
