Katherine P. Tillis

Katherine Mozell Padgett Tillis, age 74, passed into the next life on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Twin Falls Care Center. In keeping with the way she lived life on her own terms, Katherine passed peacefully in the presence of her favorite Hospice nurse Adina Brown, while on the telephone with her daughter Katy.

Katherine was born in Pensacola, Florida on June 15, 1942 to Clyde Charles Padgett and Mabel Evelyn Garrett Padgett. She graduated from Pensacola High School in June of 1960 and later graduated with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from Pensacola Junior College in June of 1963. Katherine took the State Board of Nursing Exam in Jacksonville, Florida and received her license to practice as a Registered Nurse on January 2, 1964. She was very proud of her professional accomplishments and her work as an RN was a source of personal pride and fulfillment throughout her life. Katherine would often marvel about the changes she experienced in the field of medicine throughout the 46 years she practiced nursing. Indeed, she enjoyed sharing stories about the "old days" when night shift nurses had to sharpen and autoclave needles or heat tablets with a Bunsen burner after crushing them in order to prepare them for injection. During her lengthy career Katherine worked in many specialties including surgical, Hospice, and long-term care. At the time of her retirement in 2010, Katherine had worked the preceding 5 years in the field of psychiatric nursing. No matter which nursing specialty she worked, Katherine always gave her all to the patients she served and was a caring and compassionate professional.

It was while working as a nurse that Katherine met her future husband and the love of her life, John Wesley Tillis, who was serving in the United States Navy. Katherine and John were married on August 21, 1965 in Pensacola, Florida. At the time of this union, Katherine became mother to John's children from a prior marriage: Devorra, John, Tracey, and Lynda. Then in 1969, Katherine Elaine (Katy) was born. Although this union ended in 1993, Katherine never remarried, always maintaining that "no one could ever fill the role of husband as well as John". Up until the time of her death, Katherine often spoke of the unwavering affection she had for her first and only husband and how glad she was that they had remained in contact with each other throughout the years.

During her life, Katherine had varied interests, depending on circumstances and location the family was stationed at while John served in the military. She especially enjoyed the time she spent living in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. Katherine was an excellent cook, enjoyed both cross-word and jig-saw puzzles, reading historical fiction, square-dancing, playing the piano, crocheting afghans, and had excellent canning and sewing skills. She had a love of art, particularly that of Thomas Kincaid. Katherine loved Disney characters, especially Eeyore and the color purple. Her grandson Joshua fondly remembers her colorful Disney-themed pajamas that she liked to wear everywhere, including trips to the grocery store. Her favorite flower was the rose and owls were her favorite bird. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and enjoyed her visiting teachers.

Katherine was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her brother Charles (Margie) Padgett of Pensacola, Florida; daughter Katy Leatherby (Kevin Oliverson) of Murtaugh, Idaho; grandchildren Jennifer (Daniel) Paz, Andrew (Alexandra) Mattair, Crystal Simpson, Amy Mattair (Brandon Martin), Joshua Mattair, Zachary Simpson, and Aidan Mattair; great-grandchildren Dean Mattair and McKenzie Rose Martin.

A celebration of Katherine's life will be held on Thursday October 20, 2016 at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, Twin Falls, Idaho at 10:30 A.M. Burial will be private interment. Katherine's daughter wishes to express a special thank you to the staff of Twin Falls Care Center, St Luke's Magic Valley Hospital, and Encompass Hospice who helped care for her mother during her final months.