Kathryn “Kit” Mather Dailey

Published 7:50 am Monday, November 12, 2018

January 14, 1923 – November 4, 2018

“Kit” was born on January 14, 1923, at home in Santa Ana, California. She grew up there with two brothers, Richard and Ross; sister, Jessie; and parents, Marion and Cotton Mather.

Kit graduated from Scripps College in 1944. She worked for the Navy Dept. in Honolulu during WWII, where she met Keith Michelsen. They were married in 1946, and lived in Manila, Philippines, followed by Newport Beach, California, for 20 years while raising six children. After divorce, Kit married a second time to a widower with four children (Armstrong), and did her best but the marriage did not last. She then started work at a local newspaper, in corporate communications and also was a freelance writer and teacher. She lost her daughter Taffy and was devastated. She married for a third time briefly, while continuing her career and finished raising her youngest kids. Kit sold her home in Laguna Beach in 1989, and bought a home and investment properties in Bend, Oregon.

Kit lived happily single in Bend for many years (with trips to Maui), and was able to live independently until 90. She dealt with Alzheimer’s disease with great composure until her peaceful passing surrounded by family. Kit will be missed by her five living children, Jamie, Ross, Anne, Erik and Tess; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry on her self-reliant fighting spirit.