Kathleen Carney Colegrove was born to Paul and Leona Carney in Reno in 1936.  While she attended Reno High School, her heart was in Yerington where she spent every summer at the Domenici ranch with her beloved nephew, Jamie (they were the same age) until his untimely death from polio in 1955.

It was in Yerington where, when only fourteen, she met the only man she ever loved, Lee Colegrove whom she married in 1952.  Together they had four children, a myriad of animals, and a lifetime during 64 years of marriage. Their life together started in Yerington, Mason and Weed Heights and ended in Fernley. Two of her children are Yerington graduates; two, Fernley graduates.  She loved her children and other people's children too because she believed that kids were fun and funny.    Her life was spent teaching them to be fair, do your best, and treat others with respect…after she finished playing volleyball, teaching them to sew, fish, and read good books.

Proud of her Irish heritage, her strength was evidenced in her accomplishments.

Many remember her as a working mother, a checker at the Thrifty Market and RC Foods in Yerington. A tiring job, she loved it because of the people-customers, staff, and antics of the box boys. In 1964, she went back to high school where she proudly received her diploma from Yerington High School which was soon followed by nursing school, where she finished the LPN program. Her nursing experience spanned years, whether it was working in a doctor's office or on a hospital floor.

She started accordion lessons at age four and played throughout her long life, even managing a three man band for several years where they would play at nursing homes and parties  She was also a self-taught pianist (each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren know one song she taught them to play), and banjo player. A gifted musician, who was willing to do the practice necessary, she would often tell stories about being first saxophone seat at Reno High and being selected as a member of its elite pep band. There were few things she loved more than playing music, and she often spoke fondly of how the time flew when they did so.

Because she loved animals, Kathy was the lamb 4-H leader in Yerington for several years, a job she loved. By the time she was finished, she had a small breeding herd (which started with lambs she had bottle fed for weeks) on the banks of the Walker River in Mason.

Kathy also loved primitive antiques. She relished taking rusted, splintered junk and turning it into a desirable piece of furniture.  Many people in the general area have beautiful pieces she has refinished.  She was proud of that.

A lover of the Paiute tribe, she also spent her life collecting baskets, beadwork, and cradleboards which will be donated to a museum in her honor at her request.

An accomplished artist in oils, watercolors, and acrylics, she won several Best in Show and placements in a variety of venues.  Eventually she became an art teacher where she provided art tips, laughter, and hot tea from her home.  She loved people-she was not only their teacher, she became their friend.

In fact, the last seven years, while she lived alone after Lee's death, it was this former group of students who helped us, her children, make that possible.  Anyone who knew her very long fell in love with her sense of humor, her delicious cooking (best pie maker ever), her openness, and her deep, deep love for animals and her children.

So many are alone at the end of life, and as a former nurse, she knew that.  She often spoke of how lucky she was that we were there until she had to leave, but it is because of her—the values and morals she instilled in us-- that we felt compelled, driven by deep love, to be with her until the last because she had loved us with her entire heart, even when it, and her breath, were fading.

We take solace knowing that she is being held by God, who saved each of us with His grace, along with her parents, her husband, several dogs, her beloved Collies, Richard the cat, lambs who were lucky enough to know her love, and her beloved Jamie and Grandpa Tom.

Kathleen is survived by her children: Lee Ann Colegrove Gallagher, Julie Colegrove Glick, Tod Colegrove PhD,   Michael Colegrove, her grandchildren: Jacob, Nick, Daniel, and Maggie Gallagher, and ten great grandchildren.

No Memorial service is planned.  In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite no-kill shelter.  Family and friends are invited to sign her online guest book at www.FRFH.net

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911