Kathy Stugard was born on Feb. 27, 1947 to Jay and Betty Massey in Texas, where she grew up with one sister and three brothers. When she was 19 she came to California and lived for several years in Los Angeles. She moved to San Francisco in 1967, the “Summer of Love.” Kathy resonated with the counter culture of the Haight-Ashbury, where her aesthetic creativity blossomed. She designed her own clothes and sewed them by hand. She painted fairy-tale pictures for children and made glass beaded necklaces.

In the early ‘70s, Kathy traveled to Humboldt County with a friend and began exploring the awesome beauty of the redwood country, hiking and camping out, making friends and developing a passionate love for nature. She eventually joined the back-to-the-land movement and stayed in Southern Humboldt.

Kathy married Nicole Stugard, and together they developed a beautiful homestead. Nicole built a wonderful house, which Kathy decorated with her incomparable style, and eye for color, beauty, and unusual textiles. She created amazingly lovely flower gardens in a profusion of glorious hues. They had two sons, Tahoe and Eric. Nicole passed away in 1981.

Kathy had an extremely intelligent mind and loved to read. She continued to educate herself throughout her life. She had a brilliant wit and often make people laugh. She loved music and dancing and a good party.

Kathy was extraordinarily beautiful. She enjoyed dressing up in beautiful, fancy clothes for life’s celebrations, and wearing her fabulous collection of jewelry.

Kathy had a great love for children. She was like a fairy godmother and had a wonderful way of creating a magical world around them. She had an especially close relationship with her step-daughter, Melissa, and adored her grandsons, Enzie and Asher.

Kathy died on July 22, 2012 after battling a long illness. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. She had many friends. Kathy brought a special sparkle to the world as she passed through life with her bright smile and blue eyes.

Kathy is survived by her sons, Tahoe and Eric Stugard; and grandsons, Enzie and Asher Stugard.