Obituary for Kathleen Ann Southan
Kathleen Ann Flynn Foss Southan was born in Benson, Arizona Sept 9, 1936 to Ed and Josephine Flynn. She was raised in a small town nearby called St. David. She attended 1 year of college at University of Arizona. In 1955 she married Charles Foss. They lived in Bisbee, Arizona where she was a home-maker and Charles worked in the copper mines. They had 2 sons, Mike and Joe. Eventually the family moved to Tucson, Arizona. In 1971 her husband died of cancer and she became a single mom. Determined to provide for her family she held a variety of clerical related jobs with the biggest challenge coming from working for a copper mine and a uranium mine as a maintenance scheduler. She proved to be an early women’s right’s leader by applying for her late husband’s job as a Border Patrol Agent. It was not an easy process, but she persisted for a couple of years. As she was the first woman to ever apply for that position she was not successful, but she did pave the way. Within a couple of years women did become Border Patrol Agents. This was but one example of her willingness to do things other people shied away from.
In 1994 she married Art Southan. Once they retired, they became “snowbirds” spending the summers in the Pacific NW and flying south in the winter until Art came down with cancer. After Art passed away in 2006 she moved to Hood River, Oregon. There she spent many years grand-mothering Mike and Sharon’s kids. Eventually, when she was unable to live on her own, she moved in with Mike and Sharon where she lived until her passing.
Kathleen is survived by her 2 sons and their wives and children, Mike and Sharon Foss of White Salmon, WA, with their children in Hood River, Patrick, Rachel and Shannon; and Joe and Doreen Foss in Tucson, AZ and their daughter, Jessica Foss in San Antonio, Texas.
Kathleen had a strong faith in God and was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She would appreciate that any memorials be sent to St. Mary’s.
Kathleen also had a strong pride of her Irish heritage. She had a plaque in the house that says, “There are only 2 kinds of people in the world, Irish, and those that wish they were Irish!” We think that’s where she got her great sense of humor, strong will and love of life. We also think it’s genetic. We will miss her.
Catholic Funeral Rites are planned as follows for Kathleen and both her Rosary & Mass will be shared via ZOOM - please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to and go to Kathleen’s guestbook to access. Call Anderson’s at (541) 386-1000 if you need assistance with access.
Vigil, Viewing & Rosary
3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Rosary to be prayed at 6:00 p.m.), Thursday, December 16th, 2021 at Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m., Friday, December 17th, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Graveside Committal
will immediately follow at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
In 1994 she married Art Southan. Once they retired, they became “snowbirds” spending the summers in the Pacific NW and flying south in the winter until Art came down with cancer. After Art passed away in 2006 she moved to Hood River, Oregon. There she spent many years grand-mothering Mike and Sharon’s kids. Eventually, when she was unable to live on her own, she moved in with Mike and Sharon where she lived until her passing.
Kathleen is survived by her 2 sons and their wives and children, Mike and Sharon Foss of White Salmon, WA, with their children in Hood River, Patrick, Rachel and Shannon; and Joe and Doreen Foss in Tucson, AZ and their daughter, Jessica Foss in San Antonio, Texas.
Kathleen had a strong faith in God and was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She would appreciate that any memorials be sent to St. Mary’s.
Kathleen also had a strong pride of her Irish heritage. She had a plaque in the house that says, “There are only 2 kinds of people in the world, Irish, and those that wish they were Irish!” We think that’s where she got her great sense of humor, strong will and love of life. We also think it’s genetic. We will miss her.
Catholic Funeral Rites are planned as follows for Kathleen and both her Rosary & Mass will be shared via ZOOM - please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to and go to Kathleen’s guestbook to access. Call Anderson’s at (541) 386-1000 if you need assistance with access.
Vigil, Viewing & Rosary
3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Rosary to be prayed at 6:00 p.m.), Thursday, December 16th, 2021 at Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m., Friday, December 17th, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1501 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Graveside Committal
will immediately follow at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.