TACOMA, Wash. – Kathleen Leona Botka of Auburn, Wash., spent the last five months of her life as a patient of Franciscan Hospice, Tacoma, Wash., where she gently died with her daughter Susan at her side. She loved her home hospice team and appreciated their acceptance and support as she lived and died “her way” as they led her to a dignified and peaceful death on June 20.

She was born Jan. 25, 1929, to Harland Spiller and Florence Bean Spiller in Jay, where she spent her youth. She vigorously enjoyed basketball, fishing, reading and being in the outdoors with her father.

She married John Botka on Feb. 12, 1947, and embarked on an adventure that would lead her to travel the continental United States with her Air Force husband. She loyally supported him as a military wife while he served in many theaters, both domestic and abroad.

Her brightest earthly treasures were her daughter, Susan, and her grandchildren Benjamin and Kathleen “Rose” Neeley, whom she cared for and cherished.

She is survived by her husband, John; her daughter, Susan, and husband, Marcus Neeley; grandchildren, Rose Neeley, Benjamin Neeley, and his wife, Veronica; a sister, Janice Lucas of South Windham; many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Heaven is a brighter place after the calling home of Kathleen, though an enormous void has been left in the lives of her family. She blessed us richly during her life, and the imprint of her love will not be forgotten by her survivors.