Kitty Katt Kimbell

Kitty Katt Kimbell died April 24 at her Tuolumne, Calif. home after a long struggle with cancer and other illnesses. She was 60.

Born in West Springfield, Mass., Mrs. Kimbell moved to California with her family at the age of 12.

She graduated from Marina High School in 1966 and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at East Kentucky University.

She spent many years drafting and for a time taught math at San Bernardino Community College, but her family said her favorite job and ministry was as a pastor’s wife.

She moved to Tuolumne seven years ago when her husband became pastor of Tuolumne United Methodist Church.

She was a member of the church, and Tuolumne County Church Women United.

Her family said her interests included attending musicals at Sierra Repertory Theatre, collecting butterflies and attending and leading Bible studies.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Katt, in 2007.

She is survived by her mother, Jean Sachs, of Soulsbyville; her husband, Pastor John Kimbell, of Tuolumne; children, the Rev. Shannon Kimbell- Auth and her husband, Michael, of Lakeport, and Kimberle Hill and her husband, Todd, of Riverside; and siblings, Ziggy Katt, of Marble Falls, Texas, and Bob Katt, of Albany, N.Y.

Donations may be made in her name to Tuolumne United Methodist Church, 18851 Cedar St., Tuolumne.