Kathryn Childress
March 2, 1920-June 16, 2016
Palo Alto, California

Kathryn Werry Childress, one of the oldest living native Palo Altans living in her hometown, passed away in her sleep at Stanford Hospital on June 16 just a few hundred yards from her birthplace. She was 96 years and three months old.

Born in the Hoover Pavilion at Stanford in 1920 to a well-known Palo Alto merchant, Alfred E. Werry and his wife Fredrika, Kathryn graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1938 and attended both Oregon State College and the University of Oregon until 1942. Kathryn (then Miss Werry) worked for three weeks of her life, but they were good weeks. While employed at Wightman's, a stationery store on University Avenue, she met her future husband, Navy Lieutenant John B. Childress. John was shopping for Christmas cards and fell in love at first sight. Miss Wightman fired Kathryn shortly thereafter but the die was cast.

Kathryn married John at Stanford Chapel in 1944 and spent 69 years as his wife and mother to their three boys, John Jr., Mark and Kevin. Johnny and Mark preceded her in death. During their marriage the Childresses lived in New York, several cities in Texas, Minneapolis, Wichita and, finally, returned to her beloved Palo Alto in 1972. During her younger years, Kathryn was an active member of the Pi Beta Phi alumnae organization and Junior League of Wichita.

A beautiful woman with sparkling eyes, a ready smile and a love of laughter, Kathryn is best remembered for being a great listener. Her non-judgmental approach to peoples' problems drew them out, knowing she would give sound advice and never betray a confidence. She was also a devoted wife and mother, raising her sons to watch their pennies, mind their manners and respect their elders. Her overriding principal was the Golden Rule, which she practiced religiously.

She was preceded in death by John, who passed away in 2014, as well as her sister, Ellen Werry Bergren and her brother, Al Werry Jr. She is survived by Kevin and his wife Lory Davis Childress of Kansas City; her sister-in-law Ann Orr Werry of Palo Alto; her daughter-in-law Patty Ernst Childress of Indian Wells; grandson Mark McKenzie Childress and his wife Melinda of Beaumont, California; James Bruce Childress of Indian Wells; John Eaton Childress and Margaret Howe Childress of Kansas City; two great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Mason Childress of Beaumont; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the country.